GUJRAT – A seminar celebrating the enduring literary and linguistic legacy of Sharif Kunjahi brought together scholars, writers and students at Hafiz Hayat Campus of the University of Gujrat on Wednesday.
The seminar titled “Jhatiaan: Sharif Kunjahi — Art and Personality” was hosted by the UoG Readers’ Club and highlighted his pioneering role in elevating Punjabi as a language of scholarship, his humanistic worldview and his lifelong commitment to nurturing a culture of reading among the youth.
Distinguished speakers included Khurshid Yousaf, Kaleem Ehsan Butt, Arif Ali Meer, Dr Muhammad Yousaf, Rashid Butt, Munir Chishti Sabri, Yawar Abbas, Ahsan Faisal Kunjahi and others. The seminar was moderated by Dr Rukhsana Riaz, Coordinator Readers’ Club.
Khurshid Yousaf, grandson of Sharif Kunjahi, shared personal reflections on his grandfather’s life, describing him as a writer who upheld universal human values and encouraged students to cultivate a deep love for books. He noted that Kunjahi’s command over multiple languages enabled him to create a rich and enduring literary legacy.
Kaleem Ehsan Butt highlighted the breadth of Kunjahi’s scholarship, noting that he authored nearly 30 books across several languages. Though widely celebrated for his Punjabi writings, Kunjahi began his literary journey in Urdu and later expanded the expressive scope of Punjabi through poetry, criticism and translation. His poems, Butt added, combine psychological insight with vivid portrayals of Punjabi culture and character.
Arif Ali Meer described Kunjahi as a humble yet globally recognised scholar whose life was driven by intellectual curiosity. He emphasised that Punjabi, as a mother tongue, deserves respect and preservation — an ideal Kunjahi championed throughout his career. Speakers also acknowledged the role of the Almeer Trust Library in bringing many of Kunjahi’s works to the public.
Rashid Butt and Dr Muhammad Yousaf underscored Kunjahi’s moral integrity, his mastery of multiple literary forms and his efforts to elevate Punjabi as a language of academic expression. Munir Chishti Sabri offered a poetic tribute, while Dr Rukhsana Riaz described Kunjahi as one of Gujrat’s most distinguished literary identities whose intellectual wisdom continues to inspire.
The seminar featured presentations in both Urdu and Punjabi, reinforcing the importance of honouring and nurturing mother languages. A video on Sharif Kunjahi’s life, thought and poetry was also screened. A large number of students and faculty members attended the event.