The myth that Faiz Ahmad Faiz is a poet of the elite and not understood by working class was hammered down yesterday at Faiz Aman Mela Lahore when over 5000 turned up to the event. Trade unionists, social and political activists and a large numbers of youth participated in seven hour long uninterrupted Mela at Open Air Theater Bagh Jinnah Lahore.
The event organised by Faiz Aman Mela Committee in collaboration with Faiz Foundation Trust and Pakistan Television was the best attended Mela at this place. Thanks to our friends and supporters whose donations enabled us to mobilize Lahorites through a campaign of posters and flexes in most part of the inner city. Working class families turned up to the event to make it a successful Mela that will be remembered for years.
At the difficult times, when religious fanatics have taken over most of the political space among the people and media, Faiz Aman Mela was a welcome break and most of the progressive activists to gather at one place. It was an effort to revive the Left politics with some successes particularly in terms of mass mobilizations.
Awami Workers Party and Faiz Aman Mela Committee put up posters and flexes in most of the important places of Lahore with a message of peace. You normally see all the Mullahs posters with their smiling faces inviting people to religious activities or posters of right wing political parties. Here it was Faiz with smiling face inviting people to come and join a peace activity.
The Poetry session was chaired by Dr Khalid Javed Jan wand was attended by known progressive and revolutionary poets like Baba Najmi, Aslam Gurdaspuri, Professor Hasan Askri, Shafiq Ahamd Shafiq, Arif Prohana, Saif Cheema, Rabia Shahzadi, Abid Ali Abid and several others. Faiz Ahmad Faiz Poetry was recited again and again.
The Baba Najmi was at his best when he said, "Cheh 6 deh Rootie, teh dus 10 Daa Naan, Badal Giaya Jey Pakistan" (Chapati is sold for Rupees 6 and Naan is Rs 10, Pakistan has changed), this was a great taunt to PTI and PMLN who claim that Pakistan has changed under them but for working class the Chappati has gone up to Rupees six from 4 and Naan has gone up to 10 from 6.
The second part of the Mela was singers and artists performing their own and reciting Faiz Ahmad Faiz poetry. Known artists like Arif Lohare, Waris Baig, Anait Abit, Tarunam Naaz, Nida Faiz, Bali Jatti, Rahat Multanikar, Meena Sadaf, Akram Rahi, Anwer Rafi, Sara Raza, Jat brothers and a youth group Ravi Dance from Sahiwal organised by Lok Rehs.
However, it was Nida Faiz who received a great response when she recited Faiz kalaam, "lazim Hia Keh Hum Bhi Dhekhin Ghey". Arif Lohaar enthralled the audience with his famous Jugni to the tune of his famous Chimta.
There were several bookstalls and Most of Faiz books were on sale. Awami Workers Party produced a special leaflet for the occasion and distributed among the participants. AWP flags and red flags of trade unions were waving all the time.
The whole Open Air Theater was decorated with Faiz revolutionary poetry, red flags and flexes of his messages.
Faiz's two daughters Moneeza Hashmi, Salima Hashmi and two grandsons of Faiz, Ali Hashmi and Adeel Hashmi, also attended the event and spoke. Salima Hashmi said that Faiz Ahmad Faiz message was peace and love.
