[Reader-list] A brief history of Pakistan, and other poems

[Shivam Vij]

A brief history of Pakistan

With their backpacks full of shallowness,
the men in uniform arrive
commanded by generals cut out in tin
law makers made of straw.

People wait for the sun to die.
Happiness lives in the moon.

- Harris Khalique, "Between You and Your Love" (Karachi, 2004)



In Pakistan, there are few among Harris Khalique's contemporaries who
could boast comparable literary achievement in two languages. Harris
Khalique comes from a generation of poets who have internalised both
English and South Asian poetic traditions. Also, through English he
has imbibed a lot from world literature. His experience of living in
both South Asian and European cultures brings a rare synthesis in both
thought and expression. But what makes him unusual is his ability to
express his emotions with a unique directness and a remarkable
combination of paradox and simplicity. His poems are widely acclaimed
and considered much deeper than conventional poetry by leading critics
and writers. He is counted among the most significant poets of his
generation who use English as a medium linking local feel and
experience with the universality of anguish and wonderment.

"Between You and Your Love" is Harris Khalique's third collection in
English. He has three more in Urdu. In this collection, the spectrum
is broad, the metaphor is accessible and the language is absorbing.
The poems deal with personal, political and social experiences of the
poet. The partition of India and its aftermath in terms of wars and
conflict provide the backdrop for some of the most powerful poems.
Many are about the social and political experiences in Pakistan
besides some other places. His love poems grip the reader and his
understanding of both emotional fragility and strength is unique.

The arch South Asian linguist and scholar Dr Tariq Rehman writes in
the preface, "It is the compression of the craftsman who distils
thoughts to create their essence. This haunting lyricism, this
evocative imagery; this moving narrative –these are the high points of
his poetry."

Born on 20 October 1966, Harris Khalique studied social development at
the London School of Economics and Political Science, and engineering
at the NED
University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi. He now heads a
national community development organisation in Islamabad, and writes
poetry in Urdu and
English. His earlier collections include "Purani Numaish" (Urdu,
2001), "Divan" (English, 1988), "Saray Kaam Zaroori Thay" (Urdy,
1997), "If Wishes Were Horses"
(English, 1996), "Aaj Jab Hui Baarish" (Urdu, 1991). He is also author
of "Pakistan: The Question of Identity" (2003) and co-author, along
with Rohini Kohli, of "Unfinished Histories" (2002).

"Between You and Your Love" contains new poems as well as selections from his
earlier collections. Some of the poems here have appeared in "The
Little Magazine" (Delhi), "Pakistani Literature" (Islamabad) and "The
News International".

The collection has been published by Fazleesons, Karachi, 2004. Harris, who is
a member of ZESTPoets, has sent us some copies of the book; 72 pages
and Rs. 150 each. Should you want to order a copy, please send your
name and postal address to shivamvij at gmail.com and we'll let you know
how you can order it.

The proceeds shall go towards some literary cause in India, as determined by Mr
Khalique. Please note that the ZEST lists are non-commercial public
mailing lists.

Shivam Vij | Delhi
Administrator, the ZEST lists
[ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTPoets ]