Urdu poetry in Japanese style 'reflects interaction of cultures'

Urdu poetry written in the Japanese haiku style is evidence of the increasing interaction between cultures, says Japanese Ambassador Toshio Mochizuki. He was speaking at the launching ceremony of the book, "Sahara main Jugnu" ("Fireflies in the Desert") by Pakistani poet Yaqoob Tassaur at the Cultural Foundation on Wednesday.

"The release of a book on Haiku poetry written in the Urdu language is an evidence of the interaction between cultures today," he said. Earlier, the ambassador, who was guest of honour at the launching ceremony along with Pakistani Charge d'Affaires Noorullah Khan, gave a brief explanation of haiku.

"It's a poetic form unique to Japan." He added that this form of poetry comprises three lines which must include a season and subscribes to the rule that simple is beautiful. Haiku writing is increasingly popular in Japan and people gather in what is called a salon and make up haiku on the spot and exchange their experiences.

The launching ceremony began with a speech by social worker Ashraf Siddiqui, who organised the book release to coincide with the ongoing Japan Months 2001 celebrations in the UAE. Yakoob Tassaur, an Abu Dhabi-based businessman who is also a writer and poet, has been an avid reader of haiku poetry for a long time. He has penned nearly 350 haiku in "Fireflies in the Desert", which centre around the themes of nature and social life.