Da Shakespeare Macbeth
By Qalandar Momand
Qalandar Momand Research Cell
466pp.

The process of translation from other languages into Pashto began in the early 12th century, with the translation of Arabic poet Ibn-i-Khalid’s book titled Rahyihat Altura by Abu Mohammad Hasham Sarwani. The Pashto edition was titled Da Salu Wagma [The Fragrance of Soil].

The second period of translation from Persian into Pashto began with Zarghuna Kakar, who translated Bostan-i-Saadi towards the end of the 13th century. But the third period of translation started with Khushal Khan Khattak in the 17th century with his rendition of a portion of a Persian book titled Punjganj into Pashto.

Most experts believe that the earlier translations from Arabic and Persian classic books comprised religious texts. An example of this would be William Carey (1751-1834), an English Christian missionary, translator and social reformer, who had rendered the Old and New Testament of the Bible into Pashto, published in 1790 and 1818, respectively.

The European literati and researchers collectively called ‘Orientalists’ were focused on translating regional literary treasure troves into English to pursue their political interests. It was a time when the Orientalists, mostly British scholars and writers, enriched the Pashto language and literature.

The works of Pashto classic poets, writers and historians were not only retrieved and researched but also published as a precious asset during the early 19th century. After Partition, with the establishment of Peshawar University in the 1950s, a galaxy of Pashto poets, writers and literary critics came to the fore. They used to be referred to as ‘University Wits.’

An excellent translation into Pashto of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is one of the lasting legacies of the late Qalandar Momand

The Pashto poet, playwright and research scholar, Qalandar Momand (1930-2003) was one of the University Wits. They also included Ajmal Khattak, Abdur Rahim Majzoob, Mohammad Azam, Dr Israr and Murad Shinwari, who attracted the attention of research scholars and literary critics to world literature and stressed the need for the translation of world masterpieces into Pashto.

The plays of Shakespeare and several other writers were also translated and staged despite resistance from conservative literati and local critics. Qalandar Momand, however, continued his progressive movement and introduced several literary genres and Western thoughts in Pashto as he had a mastery over English, Arabic, Persian and classic Pashto literature.

The trends of free verse, blank verse and personal essays, pen-portraits, alongside translation from English, Russian and German began taking roots in Pashto. Murad Shinwari, Sarfraz Khan Uqab Khattak and Abdur Rahim Majzoob rendered Shakespeare’s plays into Pashto, including The Merchant of Venice, Othello and Hamlet, respectively. Also, a few other plays by the Bard were translated over time.

Looking to translate Shakespeare in depth, Qalandar Momand selected Macbeth. He started translating Macbeth in 1970 but could not complete it owing to his other literary pursuits. The Pashto version could finally be completed only a few days before his passing.

Following his death, the Qalandar Momand Research Cell (QMRC) was set up to conduct research on the works of the late writer. The recent publication in Pashto of Da Shakespeare Macbeth is another step in that direction. For the book, the late Mushtaq Majrooh has also written easy Pashto meanings of 335 phrases used in the play.

The translator has not simply translated the original text but also converted it into Pashto blank verse, which flows fluently, is inspirational and brings out the story of the play with clarity and precision. The reader will read through the play line by line through different scenes as if Shakespeare had himself written it in Pashto, such is the fluency, correspondence and accuracy of the book.

Qalandar Momand’s translation of Shakespeare in Pashto introduces an altogether new way of expression of sublime worldly thoughts. One feels no difficulty in comprehending Shakespearean English as each phrase and expression corresponds to Pashto. Nowhere does the Pashto rendition seem boring, mismatched or unsuitable.

This Pashto edition of Macbeth is indeed a valuable addition to Pashto, as it provides Pashto readers a chance to understand Shakespeare, his mastery over plot and character, his narrating technique and the arrangement of phraseology.

The reviewer is a Peshawar-based contributor. X: @Shinwari_9

Published in Dawn, Books & Authors, January 5th, 2025