1931-2013: Poetic peacenik leaves literary void in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Syed Pir Gohar Ali Shah’s poem was translated in 10 different languages.

PESHAWAR:

Veteran Pashto poet, critic and intellectual Syed Pir Gohar Ali Shah, also known as the ‘poet of peace’, died at the age of 82 and was laid to rest in his ancestral village Pirano Daga, Mardan on Friday.

Born on December 8, 1931 in Mardan, the poet developed an interest in literature from a young age. Even though he was not very well-educated, his knowledge of literary works was immense.

Shah’s books include both poetry and prose. Some of the popular ones are ‘Azghun Pasarly’, ‘Polay Lasoona’, ‘Haq Shaoor’ and ‘Walwaly’. His book on Sufism titled ‘Taswaf-e-Noorani’ was also widely appreciated.

While topics related to peace and love were considered to be his forte, Shah’s Pashto book ‘Shalghaty’ is evidence of his satire and wit.

Many of his dramas were also telecasted through Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television.

Shah will perhaps be best known for his poem on peace which was translated in 10 different languages and won him the title ‘poet of peace’.

The Mardan based literary figure was awarded the prestigious presidential award by Ziaul Haq for his exceptional contribution to art in Pakistan.

Shah’s disciple Ghamgeen Mayari said the poet was initially active in politics and was affiliated with the Pakistan Muslim League before the party even split into its different factions.

The poet, however, was disillusioned with politics following his realisation of class differences in the country and considered it the source of oppression of the poor.



His Pashto lines which loosely translate to ‘Let me tell you about the miserable conditions of the poor / get out of your cars and work as labourers to know of their troubles’ are testimony to his commitment to equality, said Mayari.

Shah was also the first to have studied the phonetics of Pashto language which often changes from one area to another.

The late poet headed all literary activities in Mardan and was the head of Mardan Adabi Jirga and Mardan Arts council.

Abdul Wali Khan University recently awarded him with the title of most ‘prominent literary personality of the city’ as well.

Aftab Gul Banrr, an intellectual from Afghanistan, has written a detailed book on Shah by the name of ‘Gouhariyat’ while Ghumgeen Mayari is currently writing a book on him titled ‘Shaair – amn pan ao Shakhsiyat’.

‘I desire the world .....’

All that I desire is peace within this world,

Where the “stars and stripes” will be at peace;

 With the “hammer and the sickle”; and it

Will be at peace with the “five-star red flag”

 Away! With pestilence of war,

‘Tis peace that keeps us intact,

 I desire, Asia should not bleed anymore,

I desire, that Asia should not burn anymore.

 Syed Pir Gohar Ali Shah

The verses above are from Shah’s poem, that won him the title of ‘poet of peace’.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2013.