Atta Shad

Atta Shad (Balochi, Urdu: عطا شاد ‎, born 1 November 1939 – 13 February 1997) was a poet, critic, playwright, researcher and intellectual. He wrote poems in Urdu and later in Balochi language.^[1] Shad is considered the architect of modernsymbolic Balochi poetry.^[2] Shad started his Urdu poetry under the tutelage of Faiz Ahmad Faiz but soon felt the need to evolve his own style. His unique style gave him a prominent place in the literary quarters .^[3] Atta Shad is considered the prominent figure of modern Balochi literature and was highly influenced by Western Romantic poets as Colreidge, Shellay, and T.S Eliot . His first free verse poem named "Shepaank شپانک " was published in "Ols Magazine ماھتاک اُلس. Atta attracted widespread attention for his poem "Sah Kandan ساہ کندن " which represented the true senses of Baloch tradition and history.^[4]

Background

Atta shad was born in Singanisar, the home town of turbat district Kech, in November 1939. He served in several governmental services as Information officer, Director General and Secretary Information .

Literacy contribution

Urdu poetry

During his lifetime, Atta published two collections of Urdu poetry.^[5] Atta's Urdu poetry is a true reflection of Balochi culture and landscape of Balochistan. He added a new poetic flavour to Urdu poetry by versifying certain Balochi folk lore, romantic sagas and maxims .

Poems like ‘Mahnaaz’, ‘Shah Mureed aur Haani’, ‘Wafa’ and ‘Lori’ represent different aspects of Balochi culture and trace the psyche of the typical Baloch society . His short poem ‘Wafa’ (Oath of Allegiance) reads as:

On my motherland A bowel of water Worth eternal allegiance Let us quench our thrust And Submit ourselves to the eternal bond.^[6]

Balochi poetry

During the time of Atta, Baloch poetry was divided into two major and often competing groups - Progressives and Purists. Atta Shad refused to join either group; he was neither convinced of bringing political change through poetry nor was he an advocate of purism. On the contrary, he conceived a poetic diction inclusive of words from all the dialects of Balochi, despite the fact that he was himself a speaker of the dominant Western Dialect. This new diction afforded him a wider spectrum for his intricate poetic expressions.^[7]

Death

He died on 13 February 1997 and was buried on 14 February in Qasi graveyard, Quetta .

References