Shafiq Fatima Sh'era kī ek nazm: silsila-e-mukālamāt

Abstract

Shafiq Fatima Shera is widely considered a ‘difficult poet’. That is the reason she couldn’t get the identity she deserves. This study will be able to present an in-depth analysis of Shera’s thought process, the power of her language and imagery, and her sustained creativity. Shera’s spiritual sustenance and psychic restorations will also be studied for determining her distinctiveness. Till date, there is not any specific book on Shera’s contributions as a poet. She was praised by only some of the critics of her age. Though we have some important writings (of Fuzail Jafri, Waheed Akhtar, Hameed Nasim, and Mushaf Iqbal Tausifi) discussing one or other aspect of her poetry. Besides, two dissertations for M.Phil. on the topics شفیق فاطمہ شِعریٰ کا اردو کی جدید شاعری میں حصہ and شفیق فاطمہ شِعریٰ کے کلام میں تلمیحات were submitted at Osmania University, Hyderabad, and MANUU, Hyderabad respectively under the supervision of Prof. Baig Ehsas and Prof. Nasimuddin Farees in 2004 and 2009. Whereas an M. Phil. Dissertation on the topic شفیق فاطمہ شِعریٰ کی شاعری کا محاکمہ was completed under the guidance of Prof. Mazhar Mehdi Hussain at JNU, New Delhi in 2014. They are still unpublished. Shera’s poetry has also been a part of a couple of theses written on Urdu poetry. In this analysis of Shera’s long poem “Silsila-e-Mukalamaat”, it is be argued that Shera has not imbued elements of religion as a fashion. Her poetry has the richest and most thoughtful blend of imagery and style. She overshadows her contemporaries in poetic style and imagination. This research will also construe that she was a far better and more promising poet than most of her male contemporaries.

Note: Downloadable document is in Urdu.

Keywords: Shafiq Fatima Shera, Modern Urdu Poetry