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.
Book Talk on "From the Beginning to Lahore’s Happenings"
The Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature, in collaboration with Sang-e-Meel Publications and the Centre of South Asian Studies & Wolfson College, Cambridge (UK), is delighted to invite you to a book talk on From the Beginning to Lahore’s Happenings by Abdul Majid Sheikh.
The discussion will feature Syed Fakir Aijazuddin, Salman Rashid, and Mushtaq Soofi, who will reflect on the book’s significance and the cultural and historical contexts it engages with.
Day & Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM. Onwards
Venue: Faculty Lounge, VC Office, LUMS
Register: https://forms.gle/hZBkASEXuLi5xHmT9
Fakir Syed Aijazuddin is a distinguished professional and scholar whose contributions span art history, literature, and public life. He is the author of over a dozen books, ranging from catalogues of miniature painting and antique maps to monographs on Lahore’s cultural heritage and South Asian diplomatic history. His research has illuminated the works of British and European artists in Punjab as well as pivotal moments in Pakistan’s political history. Widely respected for his scholarship, he also writes regularly for DAWN.
Salman Rashid is Pakistan’s most widely travelled travel writer, known for his erudition and eye for cultural detail. Over decades of exploration, he has documented landscapes, histories, and forgotten stories across the country. His eight books include anthologies of his essays and travel narratives, and he is widely regarded as the finest travel writer in Pakistan. His work reflects a deep personal engagement with the places he visits, including the Deosai plateau, which has been a recurring subject of his journeys.
Mushtaq Soofi is a Punjabi poet, writer, and translator whose work has made a significant contribution to Punjabi literature. Educated in English Literature at Government College, Lahore, he chose Punjabi as his creative medium, publishing six collections of poetry to date. His writings combine lyrical expression with cultural reflection, while his translations have enriched Punjabi with access to global literary voices. Rooted in Punjab’s agrarian heartland, his work bridges rural memory and modern experience with remarkable sensitivity.
Abdul Majid Sheikh is a historian, columnist, and author with a distinguished career in journalism and research. A long-time chronicler of Lahore, he has written extensively on the city’s oral traditions, urban culture, and social history. His books, including Lahore: Tales without End and Lahore: 101 Tales of a Fabled City, capture the layered memories of Punjab’s capital. He has also been associated with Wolfson College, Cambridge, and has taught history at LUMS, where he brings together scholarship and storytelling.
We warmly welcome you to join us for an engaging evening of conversation and reflection.