Pushto language is probably
spoken in its best form in Mardan. The written script is also a popular one and is taught in schools. The poets and writers
of Mardan are well known in the region. They have always worked for the uplift of the nation and the language. They have tried
to highlight the importance of Pushtun National Unity and not to forget their glorious past. They have been in the front of
row of campaigners for human rights and social justice. At the same time they are the poets of nature, beauty,love and peace.
The
work of these poets and writers became more obvious and organised when they formed Pashto Adabi Jarga (Literary Society) in
1955.The time between 1962 and 1970 was the golden period of this society. This was the time of political awareness in the
country and these intellectuals did a brilliant job in introducing the new ideas and progressive Pashto Poetry. The group
had personalities like Asghar Lala, Sher Ali Bacha, Qamar Rahi, Pir Gohar, Dr Amin ul Haq, M R Shafaq, Mohammad Iqbal Iqbal,
Jamal Razi, Israr Toru and Mian Khairul Haq Gohar. They used to hold regular poetry and other literary sessions in the office
of Sher Ali Bacha who was a lawyer by profession. There is no doubt that these activities attracted younger poets who benefited
from the Jarga and later on became very famous in the literary circles of the region and media.
It is a big task to
mention and write about all the poets of Mardan. We have selected 20 prominent names who are not only the poets and writer
but they have served the people of Mardan in some other capacity as well.Mian Khair ul Haq Gohar, Hasan Khan Soz, Dr Amin
ul Haq, Sher Ali Bacha Anwar, Qamar Rahi, Asghar Lala, Pir Gohar, Mohammad Iqbal Iqbal, Jamal Razi, Dr Israr Israr, Humayun
Huma, Israr da Toru, Shamsul Qamar Andesh, Noor ul Bashar Naveed, Miraj Khan, Mamoon ur Rasheed, Zubair Hasrat, Meem Ray Shafaq,
Abdur Rauf Zahid, Professor Dr Salma Shaheen…..
The list is not the final one and we will publish more about
the poets and writers very soon. Mardan is extremely lucky to have such a bunch of talented people.
