Main maut nuun jiveya

Tay hayati tikar aagaya vaan

Ae kavitaavaan likhday hoay

Main maut vich muskuraya, par hayaati meral val hath vadhaa ditta

Tay aakheya

Aseen kadon miaye saan yaar?

Aseen Kadon Milays Saan?

[I lived death

Then came towards life

While writing these poems

I smiled in death, but life extended

  its hand to me

And said

When did we ever meet, friend?]

hmed Salim, poet, historian, compiler and archivist, passed away last week in Islamabad. He was 78.

Salim’s world view and work were influenced primarily by the Khudai Khidmatgar movement led by Bacha Khan; his association with poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz; the 1947 partition; and the 1971 secession of East Pakistan. His other influences included the poetry of Sahir Ludhianvi, Fikr Taunsvi and Ibrahim Habib. His early contacts in Karachi were Sahar Ansari, Anwar Maqsood, Syed Muhammad Taqi and Rais Amrohvi. An important event in his writing career was the publication of the Faiz Number of the monthly Afkaar that carried a contribution by Ahmad Salim, then a first-year college student. Afkaar also presented him an award for the poem. During his days at Abdullah Haroon College, he had the opportunity to see Faiz Ahmad Faiz whom he visited regularly until after the establishment of Lok Virsa. Salim also participated in various activities of the students’ wing of the Communist Party of Pakistan. His poem Sada Jeevay Bangladesh (Long Live Bangladesh) was published in the monthly Avaami Aavaaz, Karachi.

Ahmad Salim was a keen student of the dynamics of historic change. He concluded that nationalist issues could be solved by maintaining peace and interfaith harmony.

Ahmad Salim also worked hard to preserve the folk literature and to promote it among the youth. During his days at Lok Virsa, he recorded many folk songs by travelling to far-off areas and wrote about those. The publication of folk songs from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a significant literary achievement.

Ahmad Salim also compiled folk epics under Lok Vaaraan. He also highlighted the literary services of Afzal Parvez and Farigh Bukhari and wrote a book book on them.

During his illness, his compilation on Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s services for Lok Virsa, a report on culture and some speeches were compiled in Urdu and English by Dr Humaira Ishfaq.

His autobiography, published recently, also has a detailed account of his meeting with Ustad Daman in Lahore and his relationship with Shaikh Ayaz during his days in Karachi.

Ahmad Salim was a keen student of the dynamics of historic change. He concluded that nationalist issues could be solved by maintaining peace and interfaith harmony. Ahmad Salim also worked hard to preserve the folk literature and to promote it among the youth. During his days at Lok Virsa, he recorded many folk songs by travelling to far-off areas and wrote about those. 

While he was a significant poet, Ahmad Salim’s poetic identity did not obscure or dominate his recognition as a writer of prose. His novellas are examples of fine, creative work. His Punjabi novella, Naal Meray Koi Challay (Someone To Accompany Me) captured social attitudes and issues in the rural Punjab with great subtlety. The story deal with the human dimension of the Partition which it does not describe in terms of faith-based politics. It has relatable characters and engaging dialogues.

Salim’s volume of Punjabi short stories, Prem Katha (Love story), is mostly about humans divided by caste and tribe; certain groups inciting riots in the name of religion; and individuals struggling for peace.

Ahmad Salim was best known for his Punjabi poetry, but his Urdu poetry alone would have been enough to earn him a prominent place among his contemporaries. His volume of prose poetry, Jab Dost Nahin Hota (When one’s friend is not there) showcases a unique and powerful creative expression. Many of his poems speak of the anguish of a woman. Also, in many poems, in a breach with the dominant tradition of Urdu poetry, the significant woman is a friend and not the beloved, of the poet. The poems highlight the equality between male and female characters. Some of the people reviled by the society are among his topics. These show a remarkable sensitivity to their pain and call for a revolt to end their exploitation.

Ahmed Salim’s attachment to Punjabi, his mother tongue, was remarkable. He particularly admired the Sufi poetry. Among modern Pujabi poets, Amrita Pritam was a favourite. His Punjabi verses were praised around the world. While his subjects spoke of a contemporary sensibility, his vocabulary and cultural consciousness were closer to Punjabi classics.

Ghari Di Tik-Tik (Ticking of the clock) is a rare poetic collection. It brings up social issues that make man helpless before nature. His poems about political, social, societal and psychological references are noteworthy. Kulliyat-i-Ahmad Salim was published by Sang-e-Meel recently.

His research publications are a veritable lighthouse for scholars.

Above all, his multidimensional personality distinguished him among his peers.

He also leaves behind a rich library, containing some rare books and journals. It was always available to scholars.

The last time I met Ahmed Salim was in March this year when he travelled to Lahore for the launch of his autobiography Meri Dharti, Meray Log (My Land, My People) at the Pak Tea House. The event was organised by the Progressive Writers’ Association. He had not fully recovered from a stroke and it was painful to behold his condition. I had titled my essay to be read at the event, Salim Baad-i-Mukhaalif Ka Musafir (Salim: traveller of the contrary wind). This was also meant to be the title of my review of the book. Little did I know then that the next thing I would be writing was his obituary.

Salim leaves a treasure trove of research and poetry that will be cherished for generations. His larger-than-life presence and limitless compassion for the oppressed will be sorely missed.

Note: All translations from Punjabi are by the writer.

*The reviewer is the president of the Progressive Writers’ Association. He is currently translating Neelum Ahmad Bashir’s Punjabi novel Mor Bulenda into English. He may be reached at razanaeem@hotmail.com. He tweets at @raza_naeem1979