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Taufiq Rafat (25 October 1927 – 2 August 1998), was a Pakistani author and poet. His work influenced other Pakistani poets and he is credited with the introduction of the concept of a "Pakistani idiom" in English literature.[1][2] He is also known as "Ezra Pound" of Pakistan for his modernist style that includes a naturalist view. He did several translations including the works of Bulleh Shah, a well known Pakistani poet, which was published in Oxford University Press.
Taufiq Rafat | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 25 October 1927 |
| Died | 2 August 1998 (aged 71) |
| Occupation | Author |
Rafat conducted poetry workshops, which influenced many younger poets.[3]
After surviving a stroke in 1984, he wrote no more. He died fourteen years later in 1998 at the age of 71 in Lahore.[1]
Examples of Poems written by him edit
Children Understand Him edit
Here the poet describes the life of Old Man. A young grandfather of three grandchildren (2 sons, 1 daughter) of his son. The metaphor here is used 'Otherwise he is a Dry Stream Bed' which means once his (old man/grandfather) life ran like a river or stream but now it is dry. It means when he was in his youth, he used to live like other young men. Further is written 'Living on Memories' which means He is now living on memories. And further it is written that 'And the hospitality Now given, revoked Of his sons and daughters' which means when the guest arrive, he (old man/grandfather) sent to his room because of many causes such as because he may bore new guests on stories of his life and wherever he will go, children will follow him. Further, here is 'From man-roar, and friendly' which means They (grandchildren) give friendly punches on his (grandfather)'s chest. 'And damp kisses on scrubbed cheeks, They sail to the harbour of his knees' which means that he (old man) gives damp kisses to their grandchildren, ever that are dirty. And grandchildren feel safe on his (old man) knees.
Works edit
In 2016, his translation of the classical Punjabi poet Bulleh Shah was published by Oxford University Press.[4]
References edit
- ^ a b Rahman, Tariq. "Tuafiq Rafat". Retrieved 19 July 2015.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Alamgir Hashmi, "Prolegomena to the Study of Pakistani English and Pakistani Literature in English", in: Major Minorities: English Literatures in Transit, 1993, ISBN 9051835590, p. 104
- ^ Interpreting Homes in South Asian Literature, p.257
- ^ Bullhe Shāh,?-1758? (2015). Bulleh Shah : a selection. Taufiq Rafat. Karachi, Pakistan. ISBN 978-0-19-940288-5. OCLC 927190615.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Poems edit
External links edit
- Taufiq Rafat was perhaps greatest and most ignored English language poet of Pakistan
- An unsung poet remembered – thenews.com.pk
- Literate, NOS, The News International – Jang
- Article in Vallum literary magazine by B. Marchand, with special mention of the Pakistan-English poetry of Taufiq Rafat and his influence on younger poets such as Omer Tarin and others