Revisiting Qalandar Momand’s landmark ‘Address to Khyber’ on his 90th birthday

Qalandar Momand (1930-2003), whose 90^th birthday is being celebrated today, was an all-round, diverse and unique personality owing to his educational and artistic well-roundedness, the wisdom and learning of his thought and vision, and the strength and incomparability of his character and praxis. He was an enlightened scholar, Progressive writer, political thinker, social scientist, clear-thinking intellectual, researcher and historian of the rank and calibre of Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Sibte Hasan in the context of his ideological struggle, intellectual position and practical sacrifices.

Along with command and expertise over all of the genres of Pashto language and literature, he had the status of an authority. He gave an artistic standard and ideological repute to Pashto poetry and short stories which is unchallenged to date. As a historic and trendsetting personality in Pashto literature, journalism and politics, he will always be remembered. In fact, it would not be inaccurate to call him the Gramsci of the Khyber.

For his 90^th birthday I have selected his poem Khyber Se Khitaab (Address to Khyber) from his poetic masterpiece Sabawon (Dawn), which was published in 1976 while Momand was serving one of his many stints in jail. This collection established Momand as one of the most influential and greatest Pashto poets of the 20^th century. The poem is a beautiful ode to the historic Khyber Pass, which has served as a conduit to invaders for centuries, but in Momand’s hands it becomes the nursery for revolutionaries.

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‘I have brought good news Khyber!

Now gone is the time for clamour

The night has set, it is the end of the gloom

The morning has arrived, brightness is in bloom

Your mind beset by that suspicion

That there is helplessness, it now faces extinction.

 

Your border is the envy of Chaman

Your pebbles are the envy of Yemen

You were the pathway of foreigners yesterday

Do pay homage to your own today

You must have seen Taimur’s pillage

Today is the occasion for your sons’ homage

You have seen Babur’s oppression

Just kiss the feet of those beset by desertion.

 

Such sons were given to you by the nation

Who carry the flag of revolution.

 

You will be successful, the epitome of exaltation

We are moving swiftly towards the destination

With stars we will fill the parting of your hair

Even the sky will bend before your very dare

We will offer ourselves in devotion

Or to the world we will give protection

The sword of ‘Aimal’ is too now busy

The blood of ‘Khushal’ is too now fiery.

 

We will turn to ash after removing the dark

Here are hidden many a spark

All is not well for the palaces of the sovereign

Other winds are now blowing again

Such humilities are here kept

Upon which the pearls and rubies envied and wept.

 

Your lions live here in this den

They are brave, they are men.’