Gurmani Center
The Gurmani Center for Languages and Literature (GCLL) was established in 2010 with the generous support of the Gurmani Foundation to promote the study and research of Pakistani languages, including Arabic and Persian. Since its inception, the Center has grown into a leading hub for academic and cultural activities. It has hosted international conferences, published groundbreaking scholarship in the field of vernacular humanities, and offered a diverse range of courses in Pakistani languages.
One of the Center's flagship initiatives is the annual publication of Bunyad, a research journal recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) as one of the top-ranked journals in Urdu studies. Beyond publishing, the GCLL regularly invites artists, poets, calligraphers, and fiction writers to showcase their work and conduct workshops on creative writing, research methodologies, and related themes.
Due to its extensive contributions, the Gurmani Center has become a cornerstone of the vibrant intellectual and artistic life not only on the LUMS campus but also in the broader cultural landscape of Lahore.
100 Years of Nasir Kazmi:
A Celebration
The Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature invites you to “100 Years of Nasir Kazmi: A Celebration”, commemorating the centenary of one of modern Urdu poetry’s most cherished voices.
Nasir Kazmi (1925–1972) transformed the post-Partition ghazal with his simplicity, quiet longing, and profound emotional depth. He wrote of loss, memory, wandering, and the fragile intimacies of human experience with a grace that made his work instantly recognizable and deeply cherished. His work continues to resonate with readers across generations. Known for restoring the ghazal’s creative vitality at a time when the form was considered waning, Kazmi’s work bridges classical sensibilities with modern experience and reflects both personal and collective human emotions.
The evening will feature a curated selection of his ghazals from the Lutfullah Archives, allowing attendees to experience his poetry as preserved in these rare recordings. This will be followed by a talk by Dr. Nasir Abbas Nayyar, who will reflect on Kazmi’s life, poetic style, and significance. Students from the LUMS Music Society will then present live renditions of selected ghazals, bringing his poetry to life in performance. The session will conclude with a presidential address by Dr. Khurshid Rizvi, offering further insights into Kazmi’s contribution to Urdu literature.
Date: Friday, December 12, 2025
Time: 06:00 pm to 08:00 pm
Venue: SS Auditorium, Academic Block, LUMS
Registration: https://forms.gle/ZifUu1VNpp3zR5q66