Poets, scholars recall literary legacy of Irfan Siddiqui

Lucknow: The life, literary contributions and legacy of noted Urdu poet Irfan Siddiqui were remembered at a programme titled ‘An Evening in Awadh for Irfan Siddiqui’, organised by Silsila Adab Ka at the UP Press Club on Monday.

Urdu literary enthusiasts, poets and scholars attended the event and paid tribute to Siddiqui, who was regarded as a prominent voice in modern Urdu poetry.

Speakers recalled his seminal works, including ‘Shab-e-Darmiyan’, ‘Ishqnama’, ‘Dariya’ and ‘Canvas’, and highlighted his distinctive style, depth of thought and command on language.

Urdu critic Mirza Shafique Hussain spoke on Siddiqui’s writing style and contribution to Urdu literature, saying, “The way he maintained the discipline, refinement and accent of Urdu poetry, no poet of his time did that.”

Poet Wasif Farooqui underlined the social consciousness in Siddiqui’s poetry, saying he consistently advocated raising one’s voice against oppression, attacks on human rights and atrocities faced by the poor.

Urdu author Salma Hijab described Siddiqui’s poetry as a benchmark for Urdu literary expression.