(که سپوره وي که پوره وي نو په شریکه به وي (باچاخان)

Zama Latoon Zama Janoon

[14.May.2010 - 09:56]
Poet of a different chemistry versifying a strange world for readers By Sher Alam Shinwari Zama Latoon Zama Janoon, By Haroon Shinwari Printed at Zia Printers, Peshawar,
Born in 1970 at Landikotal, Khyber Agency , village Khugakhel subsection Ashraf Khel, Haroon Shinwari qualified his SSC from Forward High School, graduation from Edwardes College, Peshawar and did his master’s in International Relations (IR) and Pashto literature from University of Peshawar. He joined a local English newspaper in 1995 and later qualified competitive examination and appointed as Assistant Election Commissioner (AEC) in 1998. Presently he is working with a developmental organization in tribal areas under government sponsorship. He has authored a book in English titled ‘An Introduction to Hamza Baba’, another in Urdu namely ‘Afghan Qabail Kee Sedhee Sedhee Dasatanian (The upright tales of Afghan tribes) and also has rendered into Pashto ‘The Pain tales of Afghan Border’ by Sir Edward Bown. Haroon admits that he has drawn his poetic inspiration from Amir Hamza Khan Shinwari popularly known as Hamza Baba. He started composing verses while in fifth grade as he used to walk up to a nearby carpenter’s shop where he says local poets would converge for reciting their poetry and literary discussion the company of literati had great impact on his mind. The impressionistic young Haroon would listen to them attentively. Later on he got drenched in literary pursuits and ultimately penned down maiden verses in Urdu. Being an avid reader he browsed through poetry books of many accomplished poets which further sharpened and chiseled his literary taste. This his maiden poetry collection containing both Pashto and Urdu verses. Dr Masood in his remarks about Haroon Shinwari says that the poet belongs to Hamza Baba School of Thought and therefore, a strong proponent of Baba’s Sufic and philosophic thoughts but Haroon has exhibited his talent in tackling both romantic as well as realistic issues. Laiqzada Laiq writes that this collection includes Urdu poems as well and they are of high quality strength but on the whole the book gives out a sad impression and agony that borders on madness. Haroon Shinwari is sensitive and restless soul and seems not to believe in the notion that ‘the best has been said and written’ but he asserts in his verses that the best has yet to be expressed and he has said it in his poetry with all his sincerity and devotion. Major portion of the book comprises ghazals and that too in Pashto; in Urdu he is more expressive in Blank Verse than in any other genre. Haroon sounds a genuine poet who believes in the expression of his emotions and feelings without caring for diction and style though he says he has consulted his senior Prof Dilshad, Laiqzada Laiq and Dr Masood but adds that these three individuals who know him very well suggesting that whatever may be the arrangement and composition of words, the expression stands true. In a short uniliner blank verse under the title of ‘Sawaal’ (Question)on page 98 written in Urdu, Haroon raises a beautiful question while addressing his detached beloved –translated roughly in English ‘ How come you took it for granted that having lost you my routine also changed that I feel comfortable now. Haven’t you observed that a government servant even after his retirement follows his routine for a long time to get up and to go to bed?’ It is a nice and unique idea finding its expression in poetry. Another uniliner titled ‘Khamoshee’ (Silence) again in Urdu on page 111 paints a beautiful picture, it says, ‘I remember everything, I have not forgotten anything. It is you who mistook me having forgotten all it is but a temporary silence that I am observing. Don’t take it that I shall continue to observe it for a long time. Haven’t you observed that a stubborn child who is crying to get his favourite toys but after having cried constantly , stops his weeping for some moments and observes silence’ Many such one liner short verses describe different situations which the readers and poetry lovers would experience for the first time in this collection. Haroon Shinwari is a poet of different chemistry putting his emotions into unique proportion versifying a strange world for us. It is a good and interesting read. [7ltr]- Sher Alam Shinwari
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