A Critical Study of the Poems of Dr. Jehan Alam

Abstract

Dr. Jehan Alam is a prominent figure in contemporary Pashto literature, recognized for his contributions as a researcher, critic, and poet. This research-based critical study examines his poetic works with particular focus on his Nazms, analyzing them from both technical and intellectual perspectives. Dr. Jehan Alam has written traditional, blank, and free verse poems, reflecting a balanced engagement with classical conventions and modern poetic sensibilities. His rhymed Nazms, such as Da Khushal Paigham and Da Nine Eleven Na Pas Da Pakhtun Qaumi Wahdat, address socio-political realities, national disunity, and moral decline within Pashtun society through symbolism, allegory, and direct expression. In contrast, his free verse poetry, especially in the collection Tanabuna, emphasizes romantic imagination, vivid imagery, and inner emotional conflict. The study highlights his effective use of imagery, dramatization, and message-oriented expression, establishing him as a poet who successfully blends aesthetic beauty with social consciousness. This research concludes that Dr. Jehan Alam’s Nazm poetry holds a significant place in modern Pashto literature.

Key Words: Dr. Jehan Alam, Pashto Nazm, Modern Pashto Poetry, Critical Study, Traditional and Free Verse, Social Consciousness, Imagery and Symbolism.