Urdu Research Journal "Tashkeel" (HEC Recognized Y-Category) ISSN(Online): 3007-3294 ISSN(Print): 3007-3286 “Tashkeel” is an Open Access Urdu research and critical inquiry Journal published by the department of Urdu, University of Jhang. The main theme of the journal is to promote the quality research culture in the field of Urdu language and literature. This journal is double-blind peer reviewed as per HEC Policy with focusing on complete transparency and research ethics. The journal is published bi-annually and issued for the goodwill of the research in the field of Urdu on non-profit bases.
Features of Western Literary Modernism: A Critical Study
Literary Modernism (LM) is a phenomenon and to some extent a movement that began to manifest itself in Europe in the late nineteenth century and reached its culmination in the third decade of the twentieth century. Its main characteristic is experimentation, which was evident at every level: style, form, technique, subject matter, etc. There is no single clear form of LM, rather it is is a collection of different and even contradictory trends and moods but what they all have in common is an attitude of appreciates novelty and experimentation and discouraging working within established molds. Painting directly influenced literature. The movements: Symbolism, Expressionism, Cubism, Futurism, etc. were originally art movements. The present article tries to trace the spirit of LM that influenced world literature, including Urdu literature.
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A Novel Lahoo Rang Falastine by Salma Awan: A Metaphor for Pain, Resistance and Hope
This study analyses the novel Lahoo Rang Falastine by Salma Awan as a powerful literary representation of pain, resistance, and hope. It argues that the novel presents resistance not merely as a political or military response but as a comprehensive intellectual, spiritual, and existential stance rooted in the Palestinian people’s deep attachment to their land and identity. The study highlights multiple dimensions of resistance, including cultural preservation and the safeguarding of collective memory. It concludes that Lahoo Rang Palestine elevates resistance from a localized issue to a global moral concern, where hope, unity, and ethical commitment sustain the ongoing struggle for justice and human dignity.
Colonial Influences on the Style of Urdu Sirah Writing: An Analytical Study of Selected Books
This study presents an analytical exploration of the stylistic features of Urdu Sirah writing during the colonial period in the Indian subcontinent. The colonial era brought significant intellectual, cultural, and political transformations that deeply influenced Islamic scholarship and literary expression. In response to western criticism, orientalist discourse, and missionary challenges, Urdu Sirah writers adopted distinctive stylistic strategies to defend and reinterpret the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This study examines how these writers employed a blend of traditional narrative techniques and modern argumentative methods, incorporating rationalism, historical analysis, and reformist perspectives into their works. It highlights the shift from purely devotional and descriptive styles to more critical and scholarly approaches. Special attention is given to language, rhetoric, structure, and the influence of contemporary socio-political conditions on stylistic choices.
Characterization in the Writings of Mushtaq Ahmad Yousufi
Mushtaq Ahmad Yusufi (September 4, 1921- June 20, 2018) holds a unique position in Urdu literature, based on his distinctive style of writing especially in the genre of Humor. His extensive study and in depth observations make his written works highly effective, his literary style captures the reader from a fresh perspective while keeping them fully engaged. He is a master humorist and satirist in Urdu literature, a fact for which his work provides perfect proof. He introduces many humorous characters to readers of Urdu literature. This article focuses on the characters of Mirza Abdula Wadood Baig, Qazi Abdul Qadoos, Agha Tameez Ul Rehman, Sheikh Sibghat Ullah, Zargham Ul Islam written by Mushtaq Ahmad Yousufi in his book Chiragh Talay, Khakam Badahan, Shaam e Shair e Yaran.
The Decline of Culture in Novel Bahao: A Critical Study of Environmental Changes
This paper critically examines Mustansar Hussain Tarar’s novel Bahao through the lens of ecocriticism, focusing on the collapse of nature and the cultural devastation caused by environmental change. The drying of the River Saraswati symbolizes the disintegration of ecological balance, leading to the ruin of a once-thriving civilization. The novel explores themes such as barrenness of land, helplessness of humans and animals, and the decline of a harmonious way of life. This study highlights how environmental degradation, triggered by both natural shifts and human actions, results in not just ecological damage but a deep civilizational and existential crisis.
The Poetic Contributions of Mahmood Hashmi to Urdu Literature
This study presents a concise overview of the life, poetic vision, and literary contributions of an eminent Urdu poet Mahmood Hashmi. It explores the thematic richness, stylistic features, and intellectual depth of the Mahmood Hashmi’s work, highlighting how personal experiences, social realities, and cultural traditions are reflected in his poetry. This study also emphasizes the Hashmi’s role in the development of Urdu literature, particularly in enriching poetic forms such as ghazal and poem. Through an analytical approach, the study underscores the poet’s lasting influence on later generations and his significance in expressing human emotions and aesthetic values within the broader literary tradition.
Critical Review of Research Articles Published in Selected Issues of Imtezaaj
This paper presents a critical and analytical review of the research articles published in the scholarly journal Imtezaaj. The Journal contributed significant scholarship across diverse domains of Urdu literature. Including classical poetry, modern fictional prose, and linguistics and translation studies. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the journal’s role in maintaining research standards, exploring innovative themes and promoting critical thinking during these two years (2019-20). The analysis reveals that while, Imtezaaj adhered to traditional research methodologies.it also gave considerable importance to contemporary literary trends and Interdisciplinary approaches.
An Overview of Social Ethics in the Short Stories of Bano Qudsia
Bano Qudsia is a prominent fiction writer famous for her social and moral stories. There has been an extensive research work on Qudsia, but it has never been looked into with the perspective of social ethics and moralities present in her stories. She explained the social issues like poverty, illiteracy, domestic violence, gender discrimination, racism, dowry system and forced marriage in her stories. The aim and reason of writing this article is to visualize “Social Ethics” revealed by Bano Qudsia in her short stories. After the establishment of Pakistan, Bano remains prominent among women fictionist who wrote about Social Ethics.
The Concept of Fana and Baqa in the Poetry of Allama Iqbal
Allama Iqbal’s concept of Fana and Baqa is a central element of his philosophy of Khudi, rooted in Islamic mysticism yet presented in a dynamic and practical form. For Iqbal, Fana does not dignify the negation of the self but its affirmation, while Baqa represents the perfection of the self and the attainment of eternal life. Iqbal views life after death as a continuation of existence rather than its end. He considers death a transitional stage in the evolutionary journey of the self. The survival or destruction of the self depends upon human actions, as righteous deeds lead to eternal life. In a materialistic age, Iqbal’s philosophy offers humanity hope, purpose, and a call to continuous struggle and action.
The Representation of Child Sexual Abuse in Contemporary Urdu Short Stories
This study examines the representation of child sexual abuse in contemporary Urdu fiction, focusing on its social, psychological, and literary dimensions. Contemporary Urdu short stories have increasingly addressed child sexual abuse as a serious social issue rooted in power structures, class disparities, familial neglect, and cultural silence. Through the analysis of selected works by writers such as Shoaib Khaliq, Maryam Majeed Dar, Hamza Hassan Sheikh, and others, the study explores how fiction portrays the experiences of victims, the psychology of offenders, and the societal mechanisms that enable abuse. Drawing upon psychological theories, including Trauma Theory, Attachment Theory, and Social Learning Theory, the article highlights the long-term emotional and psychological consequences of abuse on children. It further argues that Urdu fiction serves not only as a medium of artistic expression but also as a tool for social awareness and critique. The study concludes that contemporary Urdu fiction plays a significant role in exposing hidden realities and promoting collective responsibility for child protection.
Neo Historicism and Urdu Novel: In Context of Fall of Dhaka
Neo historicism is a literary term coined by Stephen Greenblatt in the United States in the 1980s. He is of the view that along with literary text, non-literary text is also of equal importance to understand the functioning power and sociopolitical dynamics of the society. Moreover, critics of neo-historicism say that history is based on prejudices, while fiction has some truth to it. In the context of neo historicism, in this research article, it is tried to explore the tragedy of Fall of Dhaka through the lens of literary text of Urdu Novels: Khas o Khashak Zamanay, Raakh, Matti Adam Khati hay and Makhota. Each author has described this tragedy in one’s own way in the form of literary texts, so that the emotions and feelings of the people and its real facts become very clear to the reader.
Linguistic Links between Balochi and Urdu Language
The Balochi language holds a significant position among the languages spoken in Pakistan. The accent of the Balochi language is categorized into two variations, Estern Balochi accent and western Balochi accent that is influenced by diverse civilizations, ethnicities and cultures. Geographical, social and cultural differences exist between the both accents of Balochi language. Clear signs of linkage between Urdu and Balochi can be observed by analyzing the sounds of words and scripts. Numerous Balochi words, proverbs and idioms have been borrowed from the Urdu language. There are similarities in the literary genres of both languages as well.
An Analytical and Literary Study of “Misar, Khawab Aur Tabeer”
Dr. Zahid Munir Aamir holds his literary position as a renowned intellectual, critic, poet and teacher. He remaind the Head of Urdu and Pakistan Studies Chair (Masnid) for three years at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. During this time, he performed many services related to Urdu literature, Pakistan Studies, Iqbal Studies and Islamic Studies. He wrote detailed history of Egypt in his remarkable book “Misr, Khawab Aur Tabeer”. This article presents a detailed review on “Misr, Khawab Aur Tabeer” through a literary and historical analysis of the Egyptian culture and civilization, Situation of Urdu and Iqbal Studies in Egypt referenced in the book.
Naiyar Masud and Translations of Kafkaesque literature
Naiyar Masud is a highly significant and eminent name in Urdu literature specifically in fiction and translation. His writings are often considered deeply influenced by those of Franz Kafka. Naiyar Masud himself maintained that he had begun writing short stories even before reading Kafka; however, Kafka’s works completely transformed his literary world. Masud also translated Kafka’s stories, and this book holds great importance in the realm of translation for its uniqueness and its deep understanding of Kafka’s inner world. This paper aims to explore and analyze Naiyar Masud’s translations of Kafka’s literary works.
Foreign Characters in Novel Khas o Khashak Zamany: An Analytical Study
Mustansar Hussain Tarar is one of the most popular contemporary writers of Urdu literature, best known for his travelogues and novels. In his novel Khas-o-Khashak Zamanay, the foreign characters are portrayed as dynamic, multidimensional, inquisitive, persistent, and self-made individuals. The author has drawn upon his lifetime experiences and deep observations to imaginatively create these characters especially Inam Ullah, Akbar Jahan, Roshan, Richard Jahan, Bakht Jahan (Junior), Seerat Jahan, Shabahat and Mouti. This article examines various tendencies reflected in foreign characters such as their innate instincts, racial pride, cultural interactions and cultrural conflicts.
A Colonial Analysis of Hassan Manzar's Short Story "The White Man's World"
The concept of “The White Man's World” is often seen as a myth of beauty that romanticizes colonialism. This perspective highlights the stark divisions created under British colonial rule between “Backward” nations and those considered “Civilized”. Such distinctions served to justify the domination of diverse cultures, framing colonialism as a benevolent endeavor. In the guise of Neo-Democracy, powerful nations pursue the subjugation of weaker ones to exploit their resources and expand their territories. Hassan Manzar illustrates these contrasting worlds of the colonizers and the colonized emphasizing that the beauty associated with the White Man's World often masks the harsh realities of oppression and exploitation that define it. This Article tries to explore the writer’s insights of critical re-evaluation of the narratives shaping our understanding of colonial history.
Manto as a Moral Artist in Mumtaz Shirin's Criticism: Text Based Study
Text Based Criticism is a literary approach that focuses on detailed analysis of a work's qualities, both positive and negative regardless of its external factors. This type of criticism examines the inherent merits and flaws of a text, exploring its virtues and vices and the underlying causes for these characteristics. It establishes a relationship between the work and the reader, helping to interpret the meaning and significance of the text. Mumtaz Shirin is highly regarded, especially among female critics, for her contributions to Urdu literary criticism. Among the prominent critics in Urdu literature, Shirin stands out, particularly for her in-depth studies of Saadat Hassan Manto's works. In her essays, she meticulously analyzed Manto's political, moral, and social ideas, which were central themes in his writings, especially in his short stories. In this article, an attempt is made to draw basic conclusions after text-based study of Shirin’s essays on Manto.
The Narrative of Majeed Amjad’s Late Period Poems: An Artistic and Stylistic Study
Majeed Amjad is known as a trendsetter Urdu Poet of 20th century. He is a multi-dimensional poet who executed many metrical, lexical, lingual and stylistic experiments in his poetry. The poems he wrote in his late period (1968-1974) are in a new narrative closer to prose. This narrative has given him the liberty to enrich his style with poetic tools like Paradox, Oxymoron, Adjectives, Personification, Imagery and the diversity of Expanding Verbs. This article explores the varied modern poetic tools used in his selected poems to shape a new narrative by redefining his poetic style.
A Critical Study of the Failure of Revival and the Degeneration of Essence in Urdu Short Story ‘Kaya Kalap’
Intizar Hussain is one of the most prominent writers in the history of Urdu Literature. His short story, Kaya Kalap, critically examines the cultural and spiritual trauma following the partition. This research article argues that Intizar Hussain deploys mythological and historical allusions as fractured registers reflecting the disintegration of collective memory. Utilizing Postcolonial and Trauma theories, this analysis demonstrates the story’s title “Metamorphosis” is a profound ironic inversion. Instead of spiritual renewal, the narrative delineates communal decay and psychic fragmentation. The culmination of this trauma is narrative ambiguity and complete subjective fragmentation, proving that civilizational memory is incapable of ethical restoration.
The Literary Trajectories of Syed Umaid Ali Shah
Syed Umaid Ali Shah is a distinguished poet and writer of Saraiki and Urdu languages. He has rendered valuable services for the promotion of Urdu literature. His entire life seems to be associated with various literary organizations and the field of journalism. Ali Shah has made efforts to bring the creative literature and writers of his region to the global scene of Urdu literature. The literature, he has created reflects the exploited class of society. His poetry has been adorning local and national magazines from time to time. In this article, it is tried to explain the literary trajectories of Syed Umaid Ali Shah regarding his services related to revival of the poetry of the rural areas and made it famous both domestically and internationally.
Urdu Sketch Writing in the Literary Tradition of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
This article briefly reviews the origin, evolution and literary significance of Urdu Sketch Writing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). The province of KPK is of particular importance in the history of Urdu literature. Sketch Writing in Urdu had begun before the emergence of Pakistan, but in KPK, it gained recognition after independence. The Sketch Writings of Raza Hamdani, Allah Bux Yousufi, Anwar Khan Dewana, Dr. Shair Bahadur, Dr Amjad Hussain, Taj Saeed, Ayub Sabir, Alam Zaib Zafar, Farigh Bukhari, Raheem Gul, Zahoor Ahamd Awan and many more are mentioned preferably marinating the sequence to overviewe the tradion of the particular genere. This article, specifically examines the history, trends and tradition of Urdu sketch Writing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Revival of Lucknow’s Culture in Anees Ashfaq’s Novel “Pari Naz Aur Parinday”
Anees Ashfaq is a versatile literary figure of our time. At once a novelist, short story writer, travelogue author, poet, translator, sketch writer, researcher, and critic, he embodies the richness of modern Urdu literature. Among his notable novels are “Dukhiyare”, “Pari Naz aur Parinday”, “Khawab Sarab”, and the recently published “Haich”. His fiction, particularly his novels, vividly reflect the cultural and social echoes of Lucknawi civilization. Before the narrative unfolds, a one-page summary of Naiyar Masud’s celebrated short story “Taus Chaman ki Maina” is presented serving as the very foundation upon which Anees Ashfaq expands his own narrative. In this way, “Pari Naz aur Parinday” may be read as a continuation and re-imagination of that seminal tale. In this article, it is explored that the novel offers a striking reflection of the subtle grace and cultural essence of Lucknawi civilization, an enduring hallmark of Anees Ashfaq’s literary vision.
The Duality of Edgar Allan Poe’s Psychological Narrative and Urdu Short Fiction
This article examines the psychological duality at the core of Edgar Allan Poe’s creative vision and traces how this duality oscillating between heightened emotion and analytical clarity forms a consistent artistic pattern. Poe’s narrative imagination emerges from an inward tension where fear, memory, guilt and isolation are processed through structured expression, resulting in an aesthetic that merges disorder with discipline. In this study, the focus is also directed toward the emergence of such tendencies within modern Urdu short fiction, where internal crises, fragmented identities and existential uncertainty gradually replace external narrative motives. Through comparison, it is observed that Urdu fiction assimilates psychological intensity in culturally distinct contexts, producing narratives in which human consciousness, silence, trauma and internal collapse become central. The article concludes that Poe’s influence does not reach Urdu literature merely through thematic resemblance, but through a deeper aesthetic paradigm in which inward disturbance becomes a coherent artistic experience, reflecting maturity of narrative vision in modern Urdu fiction.
Feminist Elements in Khalida Hussain's Short Stories: An Analytical Study
Khalida Hussain is a unique and distinguished short story writer of this era. She is considered one of the pioneers of modern Urdu Short Stories. Materialism, existentialism, feminism, fear, nostalgia, terror, psychological issues and human inner complexes, concepts of time and death and social issues are main themes of her stories. She has a variety of dimensions in her concept of feminism. It contains child marriage, mismatched marriage, a woman’s love for a man, a man’s infidelity to a woman, a woman’s disrespect, and disinheritance from property, women exploitation, gender discrimination etc. This article tends to explore her opinion regarding mentioned feminist elements in her short stories.
Marxist Critical Perspective of Farhat Parveen's Short Story
This paper critically examines Farhat Parveen’s short story “Aankhein Na Kholna” through the lens of Marxist literary theory. It explores how Karl Marx’s foundational concepts such as class struggle, alienation, materialism, and dialectical thinking can be applied to literary texts to reveal the underlying socio-economic structures and power dynamics. The story is analyzed as a reflection of a class divided society, where the ruling bourgeoisie exploits the labor and dignity of the proletariat. The narrative shows how systemic injustice is internalized by the oppressed, often justified as fate, which Marx termed "ideological conditioning." Thinkers like Engels, Althusser, Lenin, and Gramsci are referenced to explain how literature serves as a tool of both resistance and control. The article argues that Marxist criticism demands literature to side with the marginalized and portray the lived realities of the working class. Farhat Parveen's story, through the tragic depiction of class disparity and societal apathy, becomes a powerful critique of capitalist ideology and a call for awareness and change. Thus, literature is not viewed merely as an artistic endeavor but as an active participant in social transformation.
Tehseen Sabai Walvi: An Unsung Poet of Urdu and Saraiki Literature
Tehseen Sabai Walvi, a significant yet underrecognized poet, contributed extensively to Urdu and Saraiki literature, establishing a distinctive position among his contemporaries. His upcoming collection, Hadisa e Wafa, symbolizes his dedication to Urdu poetry, which, though revered for its quality, remains largely unpublished. Walvi explored nearly all literary genres, enriching both Urdu and Saraiki traditions. His work reflects themes of national identity intertwined with cultural heritage, particularly in the Saraiki language's legendary capital. Financial constraints impeded the publication of his complete Urdu works, creating a gap in literary history. Further research into his unpublished works could provide critical insights into his contributions and the development of regional literature.
Kishwar Naheed's Literary Columns: An Analytical Study
Kishwar Naheed, a prominent Pakistani poetess, writer, and literary columnist, is known for her profound contributions to Urdu literature. Her work often explores themes of feminism, social justice, and resistance, reflecting her commitment to giving voice to the marginalized, especially women. As a literary columnist, Naheed brings a unique perspective, blending her poetic sensibility with a fierce critical eye. Her columns address contemporary socio-political issues, examining the complexities of Pakistani society with a focus on cultural and literary traditions. Through her writing, Naheed not only critiques societal norms but also celebrates resilience, drawing from personal experiences and cultural heritage to advocate for progressive change. This article attempts to analyze the central themes of her literary columns, which she regards as addressing the pressing needs of the present time.
Cultural Resurgence in Novel Khas o Khashak Zamanay
In the 20th century, Urdu literature embraced new genres and themes, with the novel emerging as a powerful medium to depict contemporary life and socio-cultural realities. While cultural discourse in Urdu literature is relatively recent, evolving political and social conditions made its inclusion essential. Literature, both prose and poetry, began reflecting cultural concerns tied closely to civilization and the individual. Civilization stems from collective needs and structured living, while culture arises from aesthetic pursuits that define identity. Culture plays a vital role in shaping national recognition through customs, values, and traditions. Khas-o-Khashak Zamana, a novel by Mustansar Hussain Tarar, serves as a significant example of cultural recovery. It portrays a society in flux, undergoing intense socio-political and cultural transformations. The narrative explores how individuals either cling to their cultural roots or abandon tradition and identity for survival. The novel becomes a lens to study cultural preservation and erosion in modern contexts.
The Novel and Social Awareness: An Analytical Study of Child Rights in Ali Arshad Rana's Novel
Ali Arshad Rana is a modern novelist who reflects the changing trends and techniques in different literary periods, while also addressing social issues through imagery, which is becoming increasingly important in literature. In his novel Jalta Raha Charag Yaqeen-o-Guman Ka, Rana exposes the facade and so-called "doctors" of society, highlighting the crucial role that parents, teachers, and educational institutions play in the education of children. He emphasizes the importance of well trained teachers, who are vital in shaping a nation’s future. In this article it is tried to explore that how author identified the problems and shortcomings in children's education and suggested the solutions to these issues, showcasing the maturity of his social consciousness throughout the novel.
Enlightened Islamic Thought in Urdu Writings of Dr. Manzoor Ahmad
Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Khan is a prominent rationalist Islamic scholar who strives to understand religious beliefs, traditions, and teachings through a modern intellectual and rational lens. He believes that the current interpretations of Islam are no longer beneficial for today’s modern society. According to him, Muslims lag behind other nations primarily because they have distanced themselves from reason and intellect. Dr. Manzoor advocates for a new interpretation of Islamic thought and emphasizes the need for fresh methodologies to explore new intellectual avenues within Islam. He is critical of blind conformity (taqlid) and seeks to awaken public consciousness through enlightened thinking. He also stresses the importance of religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue for building a harmonious society. Although he faces criticism from various quarters, Dr. Manzoor boldly points out the flaws present in Islamic societies and also offers constructive solutions. In his view, true enlightenment lies in making Islamic teachings practically relevant and effective in addressing contemporary social issues.