LUCKNOW, Oct. 1 -- A cultural and literary programme 'Ek Shaam Abid Surti Ke Naam,' dedicated to renowned writer, satirist, painter and social activist Abid Surti was organised at the Balraj Sahni Auditorium of the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) on Wednesday. Introducing Surti's creative journey spanning over six decades, IPTA working president Rakesh Veda said that Surti has carved a distinct identity across mediums - from Hindi and Urdu satire, novels and short stories to cartooning and painting - and his creativity has never been limited to mere entertainment. Rather, it has consistently questioned power, highlighted inequality and highlighted the common man. Surti, who joined online from Mumbai, engaged with the audience in an extended conversation about his writing inspirations, early struggles, popular comic characters Bahadur and Dabbuji, and his later shift to socially grounded fiction. Recalling his childhood in Mumbai's chawls and his long association with Hindi magazines like Dharmayug and Sarika, Surti said literature cannot afford to remain aloof from society. "Art has to be accountable and a writer's job is not only to delight but to disturb where necessary. In Drop Dead Foundation, I repair dripping taps free of cost to save water. I believe that small, sustained acts matter more than big slogans," said Surti. The conversation also touched on contemporary challenges for writers-market pressures, shrinking space for satire, and the responsibility of progressive cultural movements to nurture new voices. Writers, artists, theatre persons and students were present. Among those present were former vice-chancellor Prof Roop Rekha Verma, playwright Shakeel Siddiqui, Hari Charan Prakash, Kaushal Kishore, Nagendra, Tasveer Naqvi, Saida Saira, Pradeep Ghosh, Rishi Srivastava, Avantika Singh and Rizwan Ali....