ABOUT a century ago, in our villages and small towns, especially in some areas in northern Punjab, educational facilities were at best dismal. Universities were something unheard of and colleges were few and far between.
But, surprisingly, these areas produced some of the finest scholars and authors we have today. Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik is one of them. Born on June 18, 1936, in a village near Talagang, some 125 kilometres from Rawalpindi, Prof Malik has taught at several Pakistani and foreign universities. One of the reasons why some backward areas lacking in education have produced some great scholars, poets and writers is, perhaps, a tradition of valuing knowledge and nurturing the taste for classical Urdu, Punjabi and Persian literature among youth. Back then, in these backward areas, even unlettered elders knew some Persian, Punjabi and Urdu verses and reciting mystical poetry was but natural to them. This Sufi touch nurtured a general attitude in the society that was receptive, tolerant and prejudice-free.
This atmosphere, apparently created unintentionally, would appeal the youngsters at subconscious level. It would kindle a love of arts and literature in young and it would somehow help them find their own beat in practical life. Or, at least, this is what this writer infers from memoirs of Prof Malik titled Aashiyana-i-Ghurbat Se Aashiyan Dar Aashiyan (From nest of poverty to nest to nest), just published by Lahore’s Sang-i-Meel Publications.
Prof Malik narrates, in one of the incidents highlighting his childhood memories, how much his mother was upset and how badly she scolded him for his stepping, albeit unknowingly, on the clay-made stove of a Hindu neighbour, as it must had forced them to “cleanse” the kitchen with much labour. Surprisingly, his mother did not mind that his son was believed to have “defiled” the stove (since he was a Muslim) rather she was worried that it must had been laborious and painful for her neighbours.
This respect for other faiths was mutual in those days. One can trace its reverberations in Prof Malik’s demeanour: polite, tolerant and amicable. It is a fact that he meets everyone with open arms, be it a progressive or a moulvi, but he is firmly grounded in his convictions. Although known to have left-wing political leanings, he is equally well-versed with Sufi thoughts, loves Allama Iqbal and his poetry and staunchly supports Pakistan and the philosophy behind creation of Pakistan.
While he has been associated with the Pakistan Peoples Party in the past and still sides with progressive approach, he has never been irreverent to any political thinking or religious beliefs. This openness has given Prof Malik a gracefully balanced approach that is quite rare among his contemporaries.
He has narrated in his memoirs, in his usual style — humble and with no pretentions — some very absorbing incidents that he has been witness to. Some of the events brighten our minds and others cause a deep grief. But each one leaves behind much food for thought and forces reader to ponder over certain facts otherwise ignored in our society.
The book sheds light on some of the most important events in political and social history of our country. For instance, how his teachers at a college at Attock, back then known as Campbellpur, were sincere and had unwavering commitment to their profession and how they shaped his personality. He is all praise for teachers like Ghulam Jeelani Barq and Prof Muhammad Usman who wanted to see him a “progressive Muslim”. One must say that the teachers did quite well as Prof Malik is known exactly as they wanted him to be.
He goes on to tell his short stint as a journalist during his student days at Rawalpindi, later on his career in teaching — something he truly loves — and his rendezvous with writers, poets and journalists as well as politicians. Though later on he headed prestigious institutions such as National Language Authority (now renamed as National Language Promotion Department), some of the more interesting chapters describe a brief but very significant period of his life when he became a close aide of Haneef Ramay, the then chief minister of Punjab.
The book records some important events in our literary, political and social history, describing political and literary figures, books and magazines, not to mention the ideologies and philosophies that he touches occasionally. Some interesting pages narrate international influence in Pakistan as well.
It is a story of a boy who was born in a backward area into a poor family but rose to prominent positions and earned name and fame, today known and respected for his knowledge and expertise. But at the same time it is an eyewitness account of some historical events and our changing literary and cultural milieu.
Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2023
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