Physician-turned-author Hanif launches new book of poetry

Riyadh witnessed a high-profile book launch event Monday with legendary poet, writer and critic Prof. Mashkoor Hussain Yaad releasing the book “Lala-e-Sehraee” authored by Dr. Hanif Tarin, an eminent Indian Urdu poet, author and physician.
The launch of this 240-page Urdu poetry book was attended by a large number of top-notch Indian and Pakistani guests.
The book, which has 88 exclusive Urdu ghazal compositions, is published by Shahid Publications in India. “Lala-e-Sehraee” is said to be Hanif’s tribute to his parents, as well as legendary poets like Yaad, who have inspired him.
Hanif said: “I leave it to my readers to pass judgment about my new collection. I can only say that some exceptional power of creativity and magic drove me to compose the couplets in Lala-e-Sehraee.”
“I was also inspired by the need to promote the Urdu language, since the Urdu-Hindi speaking population is the fourth largest in the world after Chinese Mandarin, English and Spanish,” he said, adding that “Lala-e-Sehraee” is an “honest effort” to bring alive the dying spirit of Urdu poetry in India and Saudi Arabia. About four million Urdu speakers live and work in the Kingdom alone, he said.
Renowned Pakistani poet Yaad was the chief guest at the function, while top Indian businessman and social worker Nadeem Tarin was the special guest.
Riyadh’s creme de la creme, including Ali Siddiqui, Dr. Hafeez Ur Rahman, Iqbal Aijaz Baig, Mir Ahmed Ali and Firasat Ali Khusru also attended the function. Hanif’s brilliance in terms of composition was evident from the fact that the focus of discussion among poets and critics present on the occasion was the book.
“Beautifully designed and eloquently written by Hanif, Lala-e-Sehraee is a must-read for one and all,” said Pakistani poet Yaad, who himself has authored 65 books so far, besides being the recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz, one of the highest civilian awards given by the Pakistani government.
“There is a simplicity with which Hanif explains the fever and fret of the world, and makes the reader yearn for more,” said Nadeem Tarin, who was Hanif’s contemporary at India’s Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) during their college days.
Tarin recalled as to how Hanif used to compose poetry while he was still a student of sixth standard. Hanif, who was recently conferred prestigious literary awards by India’s Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy and Delhi Urdu Academy, has been living in the Kingdom for the last three decades.
Hanif is credited with writing about 13 books. Many of his collections have also been translated into Arabic and English including “The Truth of Terrorism,” which was highly appreciated by none other than former Indian President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.