Trends-setters in Pukhto literature

History is replete with the crystal clear reality that District Nowshera and its people have always been in the forefront in the fields of politics, religion, economy, education, culture and civilisation, are extremely rich in the demiurgic gift and the most peaceful even in the present scenario of terrorism and tension. But in the domain of literature, its poets and litterateurs are par excellence. Throughout the United India, Afghanistan and those areas where Pukhtuns are settled, the literati of this district are the pioneers in introducing new genres and can aptly be called the trend-setters in Pukhto literature. In other words, the Renaissance of Pukhto literature sprouted from the soil of district Nowshera. Born at Akora Khattak, a prominent town in district Nowshera, the chieftain of Khattak Tribe Khushal Khan Khattak, a great man of both pen and sword laid the foundation of modern Pukhto literature. This great man of letters and warrior has no match in the arena of world classical literatures. Known for valour and being an institution in himself, Khushal Baba introduced epic, romantic, didactic, metaphysical, imaginative, realistic, and revolutionary poetry in an unparalleled and inimitable style. Never submitting to the Mughal yoke and sticking to his own policy of bringing the Pukhtun dynasty back to the Indian throne, it was this versatile poet who brought new trends to Pukhto. His whole poetry mirrors all aspects of life which has opened countless vistas for the subsequent researchers like Dost Muhammad Kamil Momand, Professor Qalandar Momand, Hamesh Khalil and Professor Iqbal Naseem Khattak in the twentieth century. His descendants particularly his own family of Khattaks scattered in Nowshera and other districts produced outstanding work. Ashraf Khan Hijri and Bibi Haleema were among them who took Pukhto literature and the legacy of their father to the apogee. Introducing novelty in Pukhto novel and consolidating this unique genre on strong footing requires literary giants. The credit of both qualitatively and quantitatively classical novels goes to villages Pabbi, Aza Khel and Badrashi in District Nowshera. It was Syed Rahat Zakhalee who wrote the first imaginative novel, “Natheeja Eshiq’’ which was published five years later than “Peghla” novel of Sahibzada Idrees. There are ten novels namely “Mufroor”, “Shamaie”, “Maymoonaie”, “Khudkushi”, “Maykhana”, “Gul Khan,” “Amanat,” “Rehman Koorana,” “Ghunday” and “Wadah onushoo” which are classical, widely read and the best trend-setters in Pukhto. The first four were written by Syed Rasool Rassa of Badrashi and the last five by Dr. Sher Zaman Taizi of Pabbi. It is no exaggeration to say that Dr. Sher Zaman Taizi is called as the Father of Pukhto Novels. Afsaana or fiction is always fiction but must be based on real life as the writer cannot seclude himself from the society. A good fiction is one which is attention catching, heart captivating and appealing to both mind and feelings. Besides sitting trends in other genres, Syed Rahat Zakakheli was the first fiction writer who wrote the first complete fiction under the title “Kunda Jeenaie” in 1917. Its theme is based on a young widow who becomes the butt of abject treatment at the hands of her stubborn and cruel mother-in-law. Rahat has beautifully portrayed the plight of women, the relegated weaker gender in the typical Pukhtun society. The expression, characterisation, dialogues, background, realism, introduction and climax which are the required elements of a successful fiction have been successfully blended in this first trend-setter fiction in the domain of fiction writing in Pukhto. The village of Kaka Sahib is of rugged mountains but highly fertile in talent. The Kaka Khels, the descendants of Hazrat Sheikh Raham Kaar Kaka Sahib are not only eminent in education but also record breakers in Pukhto literature. It was Syed Bahadar Shah Zafar Kaka Khel who for the first time wrote exhaustive history of Pukhtuns. “Pukhtanu Dhaa Tareekh Paa Raana Key” and, “Pushtoon Tareekh Khay Aenay May” are voluminous books with a lovely approach towards the historical background of Pukhtuns. This literary giant was an institution in himself. Bahadar Shah Zafar was the not only a great historian of his own time but also the first lexicographer among Pukhto writers. “Zafurul lughath” which is a beautiful dictionary speaks the outstanding calibre of this great scholar. Pukhto language is at 33rd position among those nations whose population is more than 10 million. Ironically, this virile language has got no patronage either from the governments or the elite class Pukhtuns since the genesis of civilisations. Like its literature, its grammar itself is a separate discipline. There were many occidental and oriental grammarians who composed Pukhto grammar. Although Bayazid Ansari known as Pir Rokhan who laid the foundation of new structure in “Khair ul Bayan” Mir Ahmad Shah Rizwani of Akbarpura and Syed Rahat Zakeelee further strengthened with unique, original and prototype approaches. Dr. Taizi, too, very recently has published an exhaustive tract on Pukhto writing under the title “Leekh doodh”. In electronic media, Pukhto classical films up to the eighties had golden period. Besides, scripts, stories, characterisation, censorship of vulgarity and good messages to the audience, there used to be beautiful, melodious and mind-blowing poetry sung by Khial Muhammad, Hidayatullah, Gulnar Begum and Kishwar Sultan. But the trend-maker and pioneer poet of such popular lyrics, songs and ballads in Pukhto films was Ameer Ghulam Sadiq who was from village Dagoona of Nowshera Kalaan. Sadiq’s film poetry was qualitatively excellent and highly rich. It is said that Sadiq composed countless songs. They became popular not only from Khyber to Karachi but also abroad. Coupled with the melodious voice of Gulnar Begum, Sadiq’s poetry gave more impetus to Pukhto poetry which is still ruling over the hearts of Pukhtuns. Sadiq’s dead body is lying in the graveyard of Dagoona but his songs are never dying. Both criticism and research are painstaking activities in literature. Researchers and critics should have indepth study, knowledge and information about their field of research and criticism. Both these fields were exhaustively and meticulously brought forwarded by Dost Muhammad Khan Kamil of Pukhtun Garhi near Pabbi. Composed by Khushal Baba and his grandson Afzal Khan Khattak, “Tareekhi Murassa” and “On a Foreign Approach to Khushal” are the first comprehensive works of Dost Mohammad Khan Kamil on Khushal Baba. Hailing from district Nowshera, Kamil is thus the trend-setter of criticism and research in the 20th century Pukhto. Dr. Taizi has introduced the most advanced and latest research methodology in Pukhto that never existed before him. The research works of Syed Taqueemul Haq Kaka Khel and Professor Afzal Raza of Akora Khattak are the first of its kind. Saadullah Jan Barq of Dagbesood Cherat Road needs no introduction and has no match in drama writing. It is no exaggeration to mention that dramatists in Pukhto have written many comedies and tragedies. Barq has taken Pukhto TV drama to the zenith and his record is yet to be broken. Some of his pungent satirical dialogues have become maxims and watchwords. Malkul shuara Samandar Khan of Badrashi was the first poet who composed more than five thousand verses on the topic titled “Dha Tauheed Tarang” which is a record. This gargantuan book is an evident fact of trend-setting in composing on one topic in Pukhto literature which is yet to be seconded. In a nutshell, Pukhto literature like all world literatures is dynamic and progressive and the contributions of all the Pukhtun writers and poets in every nook and corner in general and particularly of District Nowshera, the trend-setters in Pukhto, cannot be consigned to oblivion. The writer teaches at The Fazle Haq College Mardan د پښتنو قامی سنګر - بېرته شاته