Creativity requires a constant itch; a restlessness suffused with a desire to cross defined boundaries and sculpt an edifice magnifique out of amorphous thoughts. I acknowledge, it took us some time to materialize a platform to allow this restive creativity to settle down but we did it – despite unexpected change of hands, shifting circumstances, and the pandemic and its related challenges. The Literary Fulcrum, lovingly abbreviated TLF, provides support to the creative minds in terms of uninhibited expressions, imaginative flights, and soulful connections.
The journey from the conception to the launch of TLF’s debut issue had been a tumultuous one. However, we would never have cracked the shell without the kind support of the President UMT, the Rector UMT, the Office of Communication and Media, the management in general, and of course, our dear students and colleagues who helped us realize our long-nurtured dream and gave it a tangible facade.
The current issue includes a plethora of creative expressions in the form of poetry, short story, play, and essays, carefully selected and edited to satisfy and satiate the desire to wallow into the mesmerizing world of literature. We have also included a few winning contributions from the competition held at the department at the outset of the pandemic. These creative endeavors may still be naïve expressions but I believe they hold the power to cudgel up the finer senses, rip open the creative lust, and become food for thought.
Without a doubt, the efforts when made with heart exhibit the beauty of the end product. My colleagues, Ms Sobia Ilyas and Mr Muhammad Saleh have given their finest moments to the tiring efforts of sifting, editing, and putting together a beautiful piece of written art. I would also remember the contribution Dr Furqan Tanvir made to the initial drafts of the issue with hopes that he would continue to offer his invaluable services to the literary world.
Nadia Anwar
Dean, Institute of Liberal Arts
Editor-in-Chief, The Literary Fulcrum