Author Archives: Mushtaq Soofi
17th May, 2013
Retaining the power and the art of survival — Part II
Peasant family is the most productive in the sluggish socio-economic system of rural Punjab. It is normally large and of course joint. It shares some structural features with joint feudal family. ‘Three generations gathered together’ share the same roof. Head of the family is usually grandfather or father
Peasant family is the most productive in the sluggish socio-economic system of rural Punjab. It is normally large and of course joint. It shares some structural features with joint feudal family. ‘Three generations gathered together’ share the same roof. Head of the family is usually grandfather or father
10th May, 2013
Retaining the power and the art of survival — Part I
Historical evolution of human family, though complex and complicated, can be described in simple terms as a journey from group to joint family and from joint family to nuclear family of modern times. Joint family has a long history and still survives despite the tremendous social and economic pressure of multifaceted transformations. We do not know what compelled poet Ezra Pound to write; ‘how hideous it is to see three generations gathered together’
Historical evolution of human family, though complex and complicated, can be described in simple terms as a journey from group to joint family and from joint family to nuclear family of modern times. Joint family has a long history and still survives despite the tremendous social and economic pressure of multifaceted transformations. We do not know what compelled poet Ezra Pound to write; ‘how hideous it is to see three generations gathered together’
3rd May, 2013
New books: woman voice, oral history and urban desolation!
Nuzhat Abbas is England-based young writer and social activist. She has done and is still doing a research on the subject of children’s relationship with language and the role stories play in their mental development they hear from their mothers and nannies. Her research reaffirms that mother tongue plays an important part in healthy growth of children. Her previous book ‘On the path of
Nuzhat Abbas is England-based young writer and social activist. She has done and is still doing a research on the subject of children’s relationship with language and the role stories play in their mental development they hear from their mothers and nannies. Her research reaffirms that mother tongue plays an important part in healthy growth of children. Her previous book ‘On the path of
26th April, 2013
Guru Nanak, a great seer and a true son of soil! — Part II
Guru Nanak spared neither Hindu priest nor Muslim Mullah. “No more the chants of Qadi and Brahman. The Satan himself now solemnizes the nuptials”.
Guru Nanak spared neither Hindu priest nor Muslim Mullah. “No more the chants of Qadi and Brahman. The Satan himself now solemnizes the nuptials”.
19th April, 2013
The Punjabi literary tradition: Guru Nanak, a great seer and a true son of soil! — Part-I
Guru Nanak (1469-1539) was born in Bhoi Di Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib, in the vicinity of Sheikhupura, more than two hundred years after the death of Baba Farid. The long blank in between is mysteriously inexplicable. No poet or writer of renown seems to have surfaced in this period. But one cannot accept that the language became barren or dead. Poets composed and bards sang
Guru Nanak (1469-1539) was born in Bhoi Di Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib, in the vicinity of Sheikhupura, more than two hundred years after the death of Baba Farid. The long blank in between is mysteriously inexplicable. No poet or writer of renown seems to have surfaced in this period. But one cannot accept that the language became barren or dead. Poets composed and bards sang
12th April, 2013
Punjab: Disowning the owning and owning the disowning!
The Punjabi elites, when the question of distribution of national resources and allotment of quota in the services (both civil and military) comes up, become thoroughbred Punjabis albeit in a hushed manner to claim the largest chunk of the national pie with the legal and constitutional claim; being the biggest entity of the Federation they deserve all that jazz, while at the same time raising their shrill voice in a loud chorus that they are nothing but Pakistanis.
The Punjabi elites, when the question of distribution of national resources and allotment of quota in the services (both civil and military) comes up, become thoroughbred Punjabis albeit in a hushed manner to claim the largest chunk of the national pie with the legal and constitutional claim; being the biggest entity of the Federation they deserve all that jazz, while at the same time raising their shrill voice in a loud chorus that they are nothing but Pakistanis.
5th April, 2013
Mela Chiraghan: mystic laughs and poet sings!
Shah Hussain, one of the best loved poets of the Punjab, stands out not only for his highly urbane tone and tenor but also for some of the themes which are uniquely exclusive to him.
Shah Hussain, one of the best loved poets of the Punjab, stands out not only for his highly urbane tone and tenor but also for some of the themes which are uniquely exclusive to him.
29th March, 2013
Mela Chiragan: Mystic laughs and poet sings! – Part-I
Shah Hussain (1538-1599), popularly known as Madho Lal Hussain, is arguably the greatest mystic and poet Lahore has produced.
Shah Hussain (1538-1599), popularly known as Madho Lal Hussain, is arguably the greatest mystic and poet Lahore has produced.
15th March, 2013
In praise of animals!
Punjabis being an agrarian society have a long history of association with animals. Love of animals is an economic necessity as much as a reflection of biological reality that we, regardless of our development, are an inseparable part of animal kingdom.
Punjabis being an agrarian society have a long history of association with animals. Love of animals is an economic necessity as much as a reflection of biological reality that we, regardless of our development, are an inseparable part of animal kingdom.
8th March, 2013
The Punjabi literary tradition: Baba Farid blazes the trail!
Poetry, for him, was an expression of life the way he lived it.
Poetry, for him, was an expression of life the way he lived it.
1st March, 2013
New books: poetry and linguistics
Mahmood Awan, a young poet, recently published his second book of poems ‘Veeni Likhia Din’ (a day etched on the wrist). Knowing his background a little may help the readers to understand the milieu of his poems.
Mahmood Awan, a young poet, recently published his second book of poems ‘Veeni Likhia Din’ (a day etched on the wrist). Knowing his background a little may help the readers to understand the milieu of his poems.
22nd February, 2013
Language: The rise of the Persian and the early Punjabi!
The conquest of Iran paved the way for the Arabs’ march towards the Oxus region in the north. They came face to face with the Turks who were under the influence of Buddhism and a host of Shamanist religions. Their conversion to Islam through a gradual process created a
The conquest of Iran paved the way for the Arabs’ march towards the Oxus region in the north. They came face to face with the Turks who were under the influence of Buddhism and a host of Shamanist religions. Their conversion to Islam through a gradual process created a
17th February, 2013
The ‘ninth’ festival in Lahore!
The prominent feature of the Lahore Literary Festival will be a pleasantly visible presence of woman authors and writers that can make it a memorable event.
The prominent feature of the Lahore Literary Festival will be a pleasantly visible presence of woman authors and writers that can make it a memorable event.
15th February, 2013
Language: Sanskrit and Prakrits!
Interestingly, the original home of the Sanskrit is said to be the Northern Punjab and Swat valley in Pakistan which officially renounces its legacy.
Interestingly, the original home of the Sanskrit is said to be the Northern Punjab and Swat valley in Pakistan which officially renounces its legacy.
2nd February, 2013
Language: threat of diversity
Language is power. ‘In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God’ declares the Bible. And what is God if not power? God gave Adam language which made him powerful. Adam’s descendents, according to the Bible, conscious of the power the word bestowed on them, lusted for greater power. ‘And they said: ...let us build a city and a tower whose top may reach unto heaven’
Language is power. ‘In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God’ declares the Bible. And what is God if not power? God gave Adam language which made him powerful. Adam’s descendents, according to the Bible, conscious of the power the word bestowed on them, lusted for greater power. ‘And they said: ...let us build a city and a tower whose top may reach unto heaven’
25th January, 2013
Food: Punjabi gathering and crowd!
Food has such a ubiquitous presence in our daily lives that it hardly compels us to take it as something thought provoking. Food sustains not just our physical being, but also supports all kinds of activities,
Food has such a ubiquitous presence in our daily lives that it hardly compels us to take it as something thought provoking. Food sustains not just our physical being, but also supports all kinds of activities,
18th January, 2013
Ravi and Chenab: demons and lovers
Ravi is our mind and Chenab our soul, the former reflects the high point of our material development and the latter signifies our spiritual odyssey.
Ravi is our mind and Chenab our soul, the former reflects the high point of our material development and the latter signifies our spiritual odyssey.
11th January, 2013
Ravi and Chenab: demons and lovers
Ravi and Chenab are the rivers which symbolise the very quintessence of Punjab. Not that the others are unimportant. But these two due to certain geographical factors contributed more to creating the historical
Ravi and Chenab are the rivers which symbolise the very quintessence of Punjab. Not that the others are unimportant. But these two due to certain geographical factors contributed more to creating the historical
4th January, 2013
Winter: migratory birds and metaphors
People in Punjab anxiously wait for the arrival of winter. But when it actually arrives, it is greeted with mixed feelings.
People in Punjab anxiously wait for the arrival of winter. But when it actually arrives, it is greeted with mixed feelings.
28th December, 2012
Music of poetry and poetry of music
In Punjabi literary tradition poetry is organically linked with music. Conscious of the role music can play in creating poetic structures; classical poets relied as much on it as on words. Baba Guru Nanak in his inimitable
In Punjabi literary tradition poetry is organically linked with music. Conscious of the role music can play in creating poetic structures; classical poets relied as much on it as on words. Baba Guru Nanak in his inimitable
