PESHAWAR: Speakers at a study circle asked students and research scholars to explore the works of Ghani Khan for romantic imagery as he was a prolific writer with a lofty imagination.

Ghani Khan being a multi-faceted poet crafted most amazing word-images and composed poems that inspired a host of contemporary Pashto poets.

The event titled ‘A critical comparative study of Ghani Khan and ST Coleridge’ was arranged by Mafkoora, a research and development organisation.

Students, literary critics and research scholars attended the event. The event was a series of weekly study circles and debates on social, literary, and political issues.

Keynote speaker Prof Gulzar Jalal Yousafzai said that Ghani Khan and Samuel Taylor Coleridge produced creative contents that fulfilled merit criterion of romanticism in all its manifestations.

“To add strangeness to beauty is one definition of romanticism that perfectly quails both Ghani Khan and Coleridge. They hailed from different cultural backgrounds and eras, but both could be billed as perfect representatives of their respective contemporary ages,” he said.

Two poems one each composed by Ghani Khan and Coleridge namely ‘Zama Mahal’ and ‘Kubla Khan’ both have envisioned a palace beyond human imagination. “Both the poets interwoven a medley of imagery that inspired an edifice of supernatural love and adoration,” said Prof Gulzar.

Ideal of liberty, glorification of common place, love of past, desire for unattainable, supernatural and metaphysical elements are some of the colours of romanticism.

Ghani Khan and Coleridge have simple diction and way of expression. Readers feel transported after going through the poems of Ghani Khan and Coleridge. Both the poets environed a palace with unusual description of rivers and flowers, evoking an imagery of the best kind.

Hayat Roghani, chief of Mafkoora, said on the occasion that young poets and writers should conduct research on romantic poems of Ghani and Coleridge. “Such word-images helped us fire our imaginative flight,” he added.

Adnan Shafi, a student, said that critical study of poets and writers motivated young researchers to critically evaluate literary works for better understanding. “Such sessions are very productive and fruitful for readers in general and students in particular to widen scope of their critical thinking,” he added.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2023