2. Pioneer of Pakistani
Idiom
Writing from post-independent period to the early 19s, Toufiq Rafat
considered as the pioneer of Pakistani poetry.
He was known to be the pioneer of Pakistani Idiom in English language
,as he used English language to express emotions and sensibility
rooted in the local context of Pakistan.
3. Pioneer of Pakistani
Idiom
It was from Toufiq Rafat that the English language was
used to express the sensibility of the local people of
Pakistan.
This practice of employing Pakistani Idiom is evident in
his first collection of poetry “Arrival of Monsoon”
4. Pioneer of Pakistani
Idiom
Rafat has innovatively used English language to communicate the
dynamic fabric of Pakistani culture.
Rafat’s poetry create an atmosphere of romantic ideals that have
original Pakistani sensibility.
5. A Paradigm shift
Pakistani poetry written in English was considered a weak version
of British style of writing
Theme and concepts considered to be borrowed from British
poetry.
Until Toufiq Rafat’s first Collection of poetry it was considered
that Pakistani English poetry promoted British sensibility.
6. A Paradigm shift
Rafat’s first collection of poetry “Arrival of Monsoon "highlighted a
paradigm shift.
This collection of poetry clearly distinguished the Pakistani
sensibility from British sensibility.
In doing so ,he established a personalized set of romantic ideals.
7. Romantic ideals
established by Rafat
1-Description of nature:
Nature in Britain poetry is limited to fixed particular green scenery.
On the other hand, country of various seasons and landscapes blessed
Rafat’s poetry with variety .
8. 2-Man and nature:
British poetry describes how man going back
to nature to find solace and peace.
On the other hand, Rafat skillfully made use of Pakistan’s natural
beauty to depict that man is dominantly surrounded by nature . The
man in Rafat’s poetry is not deprived of nature ,as nature is there
around him.
9. 3-Theme of War:
War for the British poetry has always been a sign of heroism and
knighthood . British poetry has a celebration of material heroism.
On the other hand , war in Rafat poetry is an intricately woven idea
. It is a part of everyday life ,and affects the day-to-day matters of
man.
10. There are a number of poems dedicated to the theme of war in
Rafat’s collection of poetry ,like “The Medal ”, ”The Village “,
“Sialkot”.
These poems reflects how war affects the daily life even after the war
situation.
Like in “The Medal ”, where a dead soldier’s family is rewarded with a
medal which “is just another piece of bronze ”. After the initial “
tributes ” and “congratulations”, the medal is now just “ lying in its
box”.
11. Conclusion
Thus thematically , Rafat distinguished the Pakistani sensibility
from the British sensibility . Rafat proved through his poetry that
themes and concepts of Pakistani poetry is completely Pakistani in
nature and not inspired by British poetry.
We can say that ,romantic ideals established by Rafat served as the
foundation of Pakistan’s first original and personalized expression
in English.
