Cultural icon: ‘Rahman Baba should be used as a symbol of peace in current times’

Seminar held at Khana-e-Farhang to commemorate death anniversary of the region’s most loved poet.

PESHAWAR: The Rahman Baba Adabi Jirga and Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) arranged a seminar on the life, art and teachings of great Sufi poet Rahman Baba at Khana-e-Farhang on Saturday.

The seminar and mushaira is held every year to commemorate the death anniversary of the poet, in which leading literary figures of the province participate and present their research papers on his life, art and personality.

Arguably the most popular poet of the region, Rahman Baba wrote verses that found their voice in the daily lives of Pukhtuns and are recited enthusiastically at all public events. Over time, he has become a central icon of Pukhtun culture and is known as a ‘poet of the common man’.

“His fluent and effective poetry teaches us about upholding our humanity under all circumstances,” said Wali Khyal of PAL. “Our people can find their way out of the darkness they are shrouded in by following his teachings.”



Presenting his research paper on Rahman Baba’s work, Professor Aseer Mangal said he was one of the most prolific poets of Pashto, whose depth of spirituality is enough to contain us all. Mangal also spoke of the historical and cultural aspects of his work, saying our values today are deeply mingled with his work. He added that Rahman Baba’s poetry tells us a lot about the times he lived in.

Dawar Khan Dawar, in his research paper, spoke about the many poems that are wrongly associated with Rahman Baba, but were not authored by him and are not a part of his diwan.

On the occasion, leading literary personalities also strongly criticised the provincial government for ignoring the culture of the province, saying Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is lagging behind other provinces in the protection and promotion of their heritage.

“Why is the K-P government not observing this day?” questioned retired professor, Rajwali Shah Khattak. “It is because of such things that we are experiencing a further disconnect from our culture and literature.”

“Each verse that has come from his pen gives strong messages of peace and love,” said Khattak. “If the government is serious about achieving peace, why are they not using Rahman Baba as a symbol?”

Parliamentary secretary for environment, Fazal Ilahi, announced on the occasion that an international seminar on Rahman Baba will soon be held in Peshawar.

A veteran of Pashto literature, Hamesh Khan Khalil, who was presiding over the seminar, asked the government to trace the house of Rahman Baba in Bahadur Kalay and declare it as a national asset.

Two sessions of poetry will also be held today (Sunday), in the morning and evening, in which poets from around the province have been invited to participate.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 6^th, 2014.