تیل اور تخلیق کے تناظر میں ن م راشد کی نظموں کی نئی معنویت

Abstract

Since time immemorial, clash over possession and exploitation of agricultural land and material resources has dogged all humanity. Earlier it was quest for land that defined warfare and oppression. From late 19^th century onwards, urge has been to be able to exploit material resources, wherever they are at the cost of original owners. A case in point is the quiet recent tug of war between Venezuela and the United States. Ostensibly dubbed as a conflict over spread of democracy, in reality, the struggle is more mundane. It is for control of oil resources of Venezuela. Same is true in case of countries with huge oil and gas reserves particularly Islamic countries of the Middle East.

1. M. Rashid is decidedly a major voice in modern Urdu poetry. Enthused with newer sensibilities, Rashid gives voice in his poetry to political and social concerns that informed poetry and other artistic expressions not only in the Islamic world, but throughout the world, crippled by colonial shackles, could do precious little but to endure indignity of both slavery and rapacious economic exploitation. Rashid being a poet, could foresee that Nature had given Persians another chance to stamp their cultural authority like they did eons ago and developed Samarkand and Bukhara as symbols of learning, cultural sophistication and national pride. Now, Rashid says in his poem ‘Tael ke Soudagar ‘or ‘Oil Merchants ‘this is the time to develop new centers like Tehran and Mashhad as centers of intellectual learning and excellence. This learning should be based on modern concepts and should address modern concerns. He further warns the Persians that given their resources, carpet beggars would come with promises of an easy and happy life, but they better not be trusted. Rashid cites here Indian experience with East India Company and signs a warning to his readers that they should not let history repeat itself. In this article, Rashid’s poem ‘Tael ke Soudagar ‘has been chosen as a metaphor of modern sensibility as well as deep socio – economic consciousness. Rashid as a consummate artist as well as a deep preceptor of what lies in future oozes out in this poem.