Book release, literary discussions, and state-level poetry meet mark the All India Muslim Marathi Literary Council’s ‘Let’s Talk About Books’ initiative
Solapur | July 6 | Salim Khan Pathan
(Muslim Literature) Literature must give voice to the pain, struggles, and realities of society. While poetry is being written extensively, greater attention should also be given to novels, short stories, and other literary forms that truly reflect social life, said Prof. Dastagir Jamadar.
He was speaking as the president of the ‘Let’s Talk About Books’ literary programme organized by the All India Muslim Marathi Literary Council. Held at Social College, the event featured book releases, literary discussions, and a state-level poetry convention, attracting an enthusiastic response from literature lovers.
Prof. Jamadar further stated that Dr. Shakeel Sheikh, Dr. E.J. Tamboli, and poet Mubarak Sheikh have significantly enriched Muslim Marathi literature through their literary works, making valuable contributions to Marathi literature.
The programme began with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Secretary Ayyub Ahmed Nallamandu welcomed the audience and explained the objective of the event.
Dignitaries were felicitated with shawls, bouquets, and mementos by Vice President Principal Dr. E.J. Tamboli, Principal Dr. Shakeel Sheikh, Treasurer Hasib Nadaf, Mubarak Sheikh, Iqbal Bagban, and Mazhar Atloli. The poetry collection ‘Kavya Saptak’ by Anisa Sheikh (Daund) was also released during the programme.
During the literary discussion session, scholars shared detailed reviews of various books. Speaking on the novel ‘Shyamcha Baap’, poet Khaja Bhai Bashir Bagban said the novel powerfully portrays the destruction caused by addiction, a young man’s struggle for education, discrimination based on caste and religion, and the sacrifices of motherhood.
Reviewing Dr. Shakeel Sheikh’s novel ‘Juba’, Dr. Suraiyya Parveen Jahagirdar described it as a social document representing the voices of marginalized communities and conveying the message that humanity ultimately triumphs over religion, power, and hatred.
While discussing poet Mubarak Sheikh’s poetry collection ‘Azaan Ani Chalisa’, Prof. B.H. Karjagikar said the collection sensitively depicts poverty, lack of education, social realities, and human struggles. He also appreciated the poet’s effort to introduce the younger generation to personalities such as Sahir Ludhianvi, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Fatimabi Sheikh, Meena Kumari, and Maqbool Fida Husain through poetry.
The programme was compered by Prof. Mohammad Sheikh, while Hasib Nadaf delivered the vote of thanks.
The afternoon session featured a State-Level Poetry Convention chaired by Anisa Sheikh (Daund). Poets from across Maharashtra presented poems and ghazals on social, educational, political, and humanitarian themes, earning appreciation from the audience. All participating poets were honoured with mementos, certificates, and bouquets.
Among those present were Adv. Hasham Patel (Latur), Fakhruddin Sheikh (Akluj), Ilyas Siddiqui, Prof. Aftab Mulla, Iqbal Bagban, Nana Gavhan, Abubakar Nallamandu, Hamid Sheikh, Hussain Nadaf, Karim Sayyed, Shabbir Jamadar, Fayyaz Sheikh, and many other literature enthusiasts.
