Tribune News Network
Doha
RENOWNED Urdu poet, writer and critic from India Professor Muzaffar Hanafi has been announced as the winner of Bazm-e-Sadaf International (BSI) Award for 2019.
The reputed award will be presented to Hanafi, who has penned more than 100 books, at a gala function in Doha on January 23-24, 2020.
Pakistan-born Urdu poet Dr Sarwat Zehra, who is a medical practitioner based in Sharjah, will be presented the ‘BSI Nai Nasal Award’ at the function.
The ‘BSI Nai Nasal Award’ is given to emerging Urdu poets below 50 years of age, who earn acclaim in literary circles.
The announcement was made by Bazm-e-Sadaf International Chief Patron Sabih Bukhari and Director Prof Safdar Imam Qadri at a function in Patna, the capital of the eastern Indian state of Bihar, recently.
The event will also feature an international baitbazi competition and an international mushaira (Urdu poetry symposium).
Prof Qadri described Prof Hanafi as "a literary giant of our times who has equal command over Urdu poetry and prose”.
The octogenarian poet taught Urdu in Delhi’s prestigious Jamia Millia Islamia University and Kolkata University before his retirement. He is considered a prolific writer who has authored some books for children as well.
Dr Zahra is a practising medic in the University Medical College of Sharjah University. She has to her credit two collections of Urdu poetry published. She has attended poetry symposiums at various places including Doha.
Qadri expressed satisfaction that the international jury presided by Shahabuddin Ahmad, chairman of Bazm-e-Sadaf International, recommended the two names with a unanimous decision. The governing council also accepted the proposed names.
President of Bazm-e-Sadaf, Doha chapter, Imran Asad, Vice-President Dr Nadeem Jilani Danish and Programme Coordinator Ahmad Ashfaq have congratulated the winners.