Culture and Identity: Selected English Writings of Faiz

by the Late Faiz Ahmad Faiz

This book is a compilation of Faiz Ahmad Faiz's important English writings. Some of the articles spell out Faiz's well-known predilection for the progressive canons of literature. He could not conceive of art, literature, and culture without relating to the social, political and cultural tensions of the society they seek to portray. He has emphasized the relationship between super-structure and the scoio-politico-economic structure. One may not agree with him on certain points but the tone and tenor of his arguments reflects the kind of person he was, cool and unflappable. Some articles come under the category 'applied criticism'. Articles on Amir Khusrau, Ghalib, Tolstoy, and Sadequain figure prominently. His article on Iqbal, if translated into Urdu, is perhaps the best article on Iqbal as a poet. One could only wish that he could devote more attention to Urdu criticism. His interviews have discussed in passing certain trends and issues, which required discursive and deep discussions. Anyhow, even the 'hints' and cursory allusions to important writers in his articles could become turning points in the writings of those writers who take their cues from these hints and amplify them.

Hardcover

First published February 3, 2006

Reviews

[ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

faiz ahmed faiz is a very interesting personality. from being arrested in the rawalpindi conspiracy to leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest urdu writers.

in this book faiz discusses (among other things) views on culture, arts, and literature. he emphasises how it's the government's job to promote art and culture, while emphasising the role of the artist in creating art that is meaningful and relevant to society. he aptly identifies and critiques not only colonialism but religious extremism as well.

in his essay "the right to own women" he writes:

We are living in 1961. In the world of today (or at least most of it) you can no longer own another country as a colony even if you have the force. You can no longer own slaves even if you have the money. You cannot even own an unreasonable amount of land even if you have the titles which your forefathers so thoughtfully obtained for you from the Raj. How much longer then could one hope to continue in the undisputed ownership of one's women? Sooner or later the challenge had to come to this unilateral right as it already has to so many others. That this challenge has come in so unbelievably mild and considerate a form should surely be a matter for thanks rather than indignation.

it is sad to see how pakistani society how pakistani society has progressed since faiz outlined his ideas more than half a decade ago.

the depth of his knowledge and intellect is evident through this work and the points he makes remain as relevant as ever.

[Zara Rizwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

must read as it clearly tells the issues of Nationalism faced by Pakistanis and Pakistani fiction.

[Usman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and very well contained explanations. Highly recommended to history fans.

[Faheem Memon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The report and commentary on culture and identity is on the dot. Literary analysis is also above par. A must read for Pakistani diaspora!