ALIGARH, September 12: The poetry collection “Dar-o-Deewar Se Pehle” by Mr. Johny Foster, noted poet and former music teacher at the Cultural Education Centre (CEC), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), was released by Prof. Mohammad Gulrez, former Vice Chancellor, AMU, and Prof. Mohammad Rizwan Khan, Dean, Faculty of Arts at the Arts Faculty Lounge.
Prof. Mohammad Gulrez graced the audience as the chief guest while the program was presided over by Prof. Mohammad Rizwan Khan. Prof. Shambhunath Tiwari, Department of Hindi, and Dr. Mushtaq Sadaf, Urdu Academy, spoke on the poetry collection and its literary significance.
Prof. Mohammad Gulrez congratulated Johny Foster on bringing out the collection of his poetry and described him as a poet in the tradition of poets such as Dushyant Kumar. He said Foster’s poetry has the power to engage the heart and reflects a socialist sensibility. He appreciated the poet’s ability to express profound ideas in simple language and described him as an established poet with a wide creative canvas. He particularly appreciated the composure, seriousness, and simplicity of his poetry, as well as its sensitive representation of Indian cultural and moral values.
Prof. Mohammad Rizwan Khan highlighted the diversity of themes in Johny Foster’s poetry and said that the poet has beautifully shaped a new poetic sensibility.
Prof. Shambhunath Tiwari observed that Foster’s poetry satirises the changing attitudes and tendencies of society while also reflecting the Indian cultural heritage of centuries. Dr. Mushtaq Sadaf said Foster’s ghazals introduce readers to a new poetic world, marked by refined expressions of love and beauty, sharp observations of reality, emotional intensity, and an uninhibited style. Dr. Sadaf has also written the foreword to the collection.
Johny Foster expressed gratitude to the AMU teachers and students and prominent citizens of Aligarh for their encouragement. He also recited some of his poetry for the audience.
Source : Aligarh Muslim University