Khowar Poetry: A trail-blazing achievement

Dr. Elena Bashir PH.D
Lecturer
University of Chicago
Department of South Asian Languages And Civilizations.

The first individual collection of poetry in khowar, the major language of Chitral, entitled Margast (narcissus) was privately published in 1999 by its author, Taj Muhammad Figar. Taj Muhammad Figar, son of the late Lieutenant Abdul Rahman, was born in 1943 in Village Zargarandeh, Tehsil And District Chitral. His interest in poetry began in 1978, when the Anjuman-e-Taraqqi, Khowar was reorganized and rejuvenated under the leadership of its President, the late Ghulam Umar and its General Secretary, Inayatullah Faizi. He has also received encouragement from his brother, Professor Israruddin, retired Professor of Geography, Peshawar University.

Since 1978, for many years Taj Muhammad Figar�s home remained the central meeting place for the Anjuman. After the untimely death of Ghulam Umar, Taj Muhammad Figar became the General Secretary of the Anjuman-e- Tarraqi, Khowar.

In 1990 he collaborated with Inayatullah Faizi and Professor Israruddin in organizing the Second International Hindu Kush Cultural Conference in Chitral. Taj Muhammad Figar is also active in Journalism; currently he is the representative for Jehad, published from Peshawar and Islamabad.

Taj Muhammad Figar has been honored twice for his literary achievements, especially the publication of his trail-blazing collection, Margast, which has been followed by the publication of several other individual collections of poetry. On 14 August 2002, he was presented by the Chairman, Pakistan Educational Conference, Rawalpindi, with the Shandur Award for service to literature in Chitral. Then, on 26 July 2002, his achievement was honored by the hamdard-e-Insaniat Tanzim, Chitral, at a dinner on the occasion of a visit by Imran Khan to Chitral. He was presented with a pride of performance award for his collection, Margast, which has provided a further inspiration to literary activity in Chitral.
Figar�s collection includes poems of several genres, including hamd, na�at, nazm, ghazal, marsia, and songs. A few of his poems have been rendered into English below, to introduce this Khowar poet to speakers of other Pakistani languages. Although it is almost impossible to capture the combination of ideas, images, and style of any language in a translation, it is hoped that the following excerpts will encourage readers to explore the literatures of all the Pakistani languages.

Hamd

O, creator of the world,
You have set hot summer, winter�s chill, kind fall, and hopeful spring
In their measured March of days and nights-
Each different-always the same.

Na�at

With the flick of a finger
You split the moon in two
As a sign to humankind.
Oh, noblest of men,
Granted such vast powers by Allah,
You have graced humanity with a leadership
That provides guidance toward a perfect life.
Without this, the world and humans are nothing.

Marsia (on the death of Ghulam Umar)

Where will I find you?
Not after weeping a thousand times.
Remembering you, my life has left me.
I can only spend the rest of my days
Weeping-soaking my garments with my tear

Nazm (on the independence of Pakistan)

By the grace of Allah,
We have found freedom.
First of all states,
Chitral sparkles on the forehead
Of our sacred country.

Ghazal

O, my beloved,
Your darting glance has struck
The target of my heart.
Gravely wounded, I yet live in the hope
That when u know my state
Those same glances
Will become balm to my heart.