Karachi: Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Special Events Committee organised book launch of Fiza Moin’s, ‘Azeem Prem Ragi: Life and Mystical Poetry,’ Professor Sahar Ansari Presided over event. Retired Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed and Dr. Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui attended event as special guests.

Chairman of Arts Council’s Special Events Committee Iqbal Latif along with Rizwan Siddiqui, Muhammad Iqbal, Humaira Athar, Rashid Butt, Muhammad Aqil, Khurram Jehangiri and Akbar Dars, shared their thoughts.  Sahar Ansari remarked that this book is unique in its nature compared to other books. He said he observed that true personalities are very rare. In his view, Prem Raghi stands out as significant personality. Dedication Prem Ragi showed towards his art is akin to miracle, reflecting divinely bestowed talent nurtured under guidance of his elders. He praised Fiza Moin for her diligent effort in compiling Prem Ragi’s life into comprehensive book.  Justice (retd.) Wajihuddin Ahmed reflected on how book captures bygone era that either has been left behind or has evolved beyond recognition.

This book is reflection of our valuable cultural heritage.   Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui said that sufi music, or qawwali, appears in two forms in this world: one is spiritual, found in sufi monasteries and unmatched by anything else and other is worldly, spreading joy. For our sufi saints, element of consistency was main ingredient of sufi music Iqbal Latif said that Fiza Moin’s book includes hamd-o-naat, along with ghazals, poems, and other poetry. Azeem Prem Ragi was renowned qawwal of Indian subcontinent and songs he sang hundred years ago are still popular today.