Khan Abdul Ghani KhanSI (Pashto: خان عبدالغني خان; c. 1914 – 15 March 1996) was a Pashtun philosopher, poet, artist, writer and politician. He was a son of Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a prominent British Raj-era Indian independence activist. Throughout his life as a poet in both British India and Pakistan, Khan was known by the titles Lewanay Pālsapay (لېونی فلسفي, 'Mad Philosopher') and Da īlam Samander (د علم سمندر, 'Ocean of Knowledge').[citation needed]
Khan was born in Hashtnagar, in the Frontier Tribal Areas of British India—roughly located in the modern-day village of Utmanzai in Charsadda District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. He was a son of Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a prominent Indian independence activist, and was the elder brother of Abdul Wali Khan. Khan's wife, Roshan, was from a Parsi family and was the daughter of Nawab Rustam Jang a prince of Hyderabad.[1] He went to study at the art academy at Rabindranath Tagore's University in Shantiniketan, where he developed a liking for painting and sculpture.[2] He visited England and studied sugar technology in the United States, after which he returned to British India and started working at the Takht Bhai Sugar Mills in Takht Bhai in 1933.[3] Largely owing to his father's influence, Khan was also involved in politics, supporting the cause of the Pashtuns of British India. Due to his activism, Khan was arrested by the Government of Pakistan in 1948—although he had given up politics by then—and remained in prison till 1954, in various jails all over the country. It was during these years that he wrote his poem collection, Da Panjray Chaghaar, which he considered to be the best work of his life.[citation needed] His contribution to literature (often unpublished) was ignored by the Pakistani government for much of his life; although near the end of his life, his works did receive much praise and as well as an award—for his contributions to Pashto literature and painting, the then-President of Pakistan, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, conferred on him the Sitara-i-Imtiaz on 23 March 1980.[citation needed]
Political Life and Imprisonment
During a part of Ghani Khan's life, modern-day Pakistan did not exist. India was under British rule (hence called British India) and was fighting for its independence from the British. On 15 August 1947, India finally gained its independence. And a day before, on 14 August 1947, Pakistan had been born, becoming independent of British India. Hence, before all this independence, the Pashtuns who are now in Pakistan were under the rule of British India before the partition of India and Pakistan. This is where and why Bacha Khan's work was significant.
As for Ghani Khan, he was initially influenced by his father's political struggles and thus worked for the independence of the Pashtuns ruled by British India. However, he later came to disagree with his father's ideologies (he stopped supporting the idea of nonviolent resistance, seeing that it was not beneficial to the Pashtuns). He says, in an interview, that he left his father's political movement of non-violence, called "Khudai Khidmatgar" ("God’s Soldiers") because of some of the movement's motives that he disagreed with.[citation needed]
Although he was no longer involved in politics by the time of Pakistan's independence (1947), the government of Pakistan imprisoned him several times, sending him to jails from all over the country. His father spent close to half of his lifetime in jail (44 years out of his 99 years). Ghani Khan used his time in jail to write poetry; his main work in jail is called Da Panjrey Chaghar ("The Chirping of the Cage").
Works
Aside from a few poems of his youth and early manhood, Ghani Khan's poetry, like his temperament, is anti-political. His poem collections include Panoos, Palwashay, De Panjray Chaghar, Kullyat and Latoon. He also wrote in English; his first book was The Pathans (1947). His only published work in Urdu was his book titled Khan Sahib (1994).
The singular distinction of his poetry – aside from his obvious poetic genius – is a profound blend of knowledge about his native and foreign cultures, and the psychological, sensual, and religious aspects of life.[4][5]
A translation (Pashto to English) of selected 141 poems of Ghani Khan, called The Pilgrim of Beauty, has been authored by Imtiaz Ahmad Sahibzada, a friend and admirer of the poet. The book was printed in 2014 in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is a joint initiative by individual donors in Pakistan and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Afghanistan. The book also contains paintings of Ghani Khan. The Pakistan launch of the book took place in the Afghanistan-Pakistan Pukhtun Festival, in March 2015. The Afghanistan launch took place on 22 February 2016 by the Ministry of Information and Culture.In 1982, At Edwards College Peshawar, Quaid Muhammad Khan(President Of Pushto Literature) familiarized Ghani Khan with Sardar Ali Takkar so that he could be able to read Ghani Khan ghazals with some music at the background (Modern Day Tappy).
Quotes and prose
Ghani Khan's love for nature and the local habitat of the Pashtun people is visible in his work. He wrote
"Pashtun is not merely a race but, in fact, a state of mind; there is a Pashtun lying inside every man, who at times wakes up and overpowers him."
"The Pashtuns are rain-sown wheat: they all came up on the same day; they are all the same. But the chief reason why I love a Pashtun is that he will wash his face and oil his beard and perfume his locks and put on his best pair of clothes when he goes out to fight and die."
As a progressive and intellectual writer, he wrote, "I want to see my people educated and enlightened. A people with a vision and a strong sense of justice, who can carve out a future for themselves in harmony with nature."
Ghani khan poetry
څوک دې ماته وُوائي څه رنګې شیدا شي څوک؟
څوک چې چاته وُخاندي ولې پۀ خندا شي څوک؟
ستوري د غره څوکې تۀ غلي شان بېګا وُوې
مینې پۀ ژړا وُوې حسن پۀ خندا وُوې
Tribute
Abdul Ghani Khan died on 15 March 1996 and was buried in Utmanzai, Charsadda.[6] After his death, in recognition of his outstanding achievements, the Government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province built a public library and park as a memorial to him on about 8 acres (32,000 m2) of land, naming it "Ghani Derai" (the mound of Ghani). The site is a historical mound very near his home, Dar- ul-Aman, and within the confines of his ancestral village, Utmanzai, on the main highway from Razzar to Takht-i-Bhai.
Interview of Author of The Pilgrim of Beauty – an English translation of Ghani Khan's 141 poems, by Deewa radio, Voice of America
January 11, 2023
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Abdul Ghani Khan news newspapers books scholar JSTOR October 2015 Learn how and when to remove this template message Khan Abdul Ghani Khan SI Pashto خان عبدالغني خان c 1914 15 March 1996 was a Pashtun philosopher poet artist writer and politician He was a son of Abdul Ghaffar Khan a prominent British Raj era Indian independence activist Throughout his life as a poet in both British India and Pakistan Khan was known by the titles Lewanay Palsapay لېونی فلسفي Mad Philosopher and Da ilam Samander د علم سمندر Ocean of Knowledge citation needed Abdul Ghani Khanعبدالغني خانKhan in the 1940sBornc 1914 Hashtnagar North West Frontier Province British India now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa PakistanDied15 March 1996 1996 03 15 aged 81 82 Charsadda North West Frontier Province now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa PakistanPen nameغني lit Ghani NationalityBritish Indian 1914 1947 Pakistan 1947 1996 Notable workDa Panjre Chaghar Panoos The Pathans Da Ghani Latoon Kuliat e Ghani citation needed Notable awardsSitara i Imtiaz 1980 RelativesAbdul Ghaffar Khan father Abdul Wali Khan brother Abdul Ali Khan brother Contents 1 Life 1 1 Political Life and Imprisonment 2 Works 3 Quotes and prose 4 Tribute 5 See also 6 References 7 Sources 8 External linksLife EditKhan was born in Hashtnagar in the Frontier Tribal Areas of British India roughly located in the modern day village of Utmanzai in Charsadda District Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan He was a son of Abdul Ghaffar Khan a prominent Indian independence activist and was the elder brother of Abdul Wali Khan Khan s wife Roshan was from a Parsi family and was the daughter of Nawab Rustam Jang a prince of Hyderabad 1 He went to study at the art academy at Rabindranath Tagore s University in Shantiniketan where he developed a liking for painting and sculpture 2 He visited England and studied sugar technology in the United States after which he returned to British India and started working at the Takht Bhai Sugar Mills in Takht Bhai in 1933 3 Largely owing to his father s influence Khan was also involved in politics supporting the cause of the Pashtuns of British India Due to his activism Khan was arrested by the Government of Pakistan in 1948 although he had given up politics by then and remained in prison till 1954 in various jails all over the country It was during these years that he wrote his poem collection Da Panjray Chaghaar which he considered to be the best work of his life citation needed His contribution to literature often unpublished was ignored by the Pakistani government for much of his life although near the end of his life his works did receive much praise and as well as an award for his contributions to Pashto literature and painting the then President of Pakistan Muhammad Zia ul Haq conferred on him the Sitara i Imtiaz on 23 March 1980 citation needed Political Life and Imprisonment Edit During a part of Ghani Khan s life modern day Pakistan did not exist India was under British rule hence called British India and was fighting for its independence from the British On 15 August 1947 India finally gained its independence And a day before on 14 August 1947 Pakistan had been born becoming independent of British India Hence before all this independence the Pashtuns who are now in Pakistan were under the rule of British India before the partition of India and Pakistan This is where and why Bacha Khan s work was significant As for Ghani Khan he was initially influenced by his father s political struggles and thus worked for the independence of the Pashtuns ruled by British India However he later came to disagree with his father s ideologies he stopped supporting the idea of nonviolent resistance seeing that it was not beneficial to the Pashtuns He says in an interview that he left his father s political movement of non violence called Khudai Khidmatgar God s Soldiers because of some of the movement s motives that he disagreed with citation needed Although he was no longer involved in politics by the time of Pakistan s independence 1947 the government of Pakistan imprisoned him several times sending him to jails from all over the country His father spent close to half of his lifetime in jail 44 years out of his 99 years Ghani Khan used his time in jail to write poetry his main work in jail is called Da Panjrey Chaghar The Chirping of the Cage Works EditAside from a few poems of his youth and early manhood Ghani Khan s poetry like his temperament is anti political His poem collections include Panoos Palwashay De Panjray Chaghar Kullyat and Latoon He also wrote in English his first book was The Pathans 1947 His only published work in Urdu was his book titled Khan Sahib 1994 The singular distinction of his poetry aside from his obvious poetic genius is a profound blend of knowledge about his native and foreign cultures and the psychological sensual and religious aspects of life 4 5 A translation Pashto to English of selected 141 poems of Ghani Khan called The Pilgrim of Beauty has been authored by Imtiaz Ahmad Sahibzada a friend and admirer of the poet The book was printed in 2014 in Islamabad Pakistan It is a joint initiative by individual donors in Pakistan and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture Afghanistan The book also contains paintings of Ghani Khan The Pakistan launch of the book took place in the Afghanistan Pakistan Pukhtun Festival in March 2015 The Afghanistan launch took place on 22 February 2016 by the Ministry of Information and Culture In 1982 At Edwards College Peshawar Quaid Muhammad Khan President Of Pushto Literature familiarized Ghani Khan with Sardar Ali Takkar so that he could be able to read Ghani Khan ghazals with some music at the background Modern Day Tappy Quotes and prose EditGhani Khan s love for nature and the local habitat of the Pashtun people is visible in his work He wrote Pashtun is not merely a race but in fact a state of mind there is a Pashtun lying inside every man who at times wakes up and overpowers him The Pashtuns are rain sown wheat they all came up on the same day they are all the same But the chief reason why I love a Pashtun is that he will wash his face and oil his beard and perfume his locks and put on his best pair of clothes when he goes out to fight and die As a progressive and intellectual writer he wrote I want to see my people educated and enlightened A people with a vision and a strong sense of justice who can carve out a future for themselves in harmony with nature Ghani khan poetryڅوک دې ماته و وائي څه رنګې شیدا شي څوک څوک چې چاته و خاندي ولې پۀ خندا شي څوک ستوري د غره څوکې تۀ غلي شان بېګا و وېمینې پۀ ژړا و وې حسن پۀ خندا و وېTribute EditAbdul Ghani Khan died on 15 March 1996 and was buried in Utmanzai Charsadda 6 After his death in recognition of his outstanding achievements the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province built a public library and park as a memorial to him on about 8 acres 32 000 m2 of land naming it Ghani Derai the mound of Ghani The site is a historical mound very near his home Dar ul Aman and within the confines of his ancestral village Utmanzai on the main highway from Razzar to Takht i Bhai See also EditAbdul Ali Khan Khan Abdul Bahram Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan Abdul Wali Khan Family of Bahram Khan Utmanzai Sarbani tribe References Edit Arbab Safoora 2016 Ghani Khan A Postmodern Humanist Poet Philosopher PDF Sagar A South Asia Research Journal 24 24 63 page 30 Ghani Khan the poet of beautiful contradictions The Express Tribune 6 January 2014 Retrieved 29 August 2019 Ghani Khan Poetry Ghani Khan Shayari pashto Ghazal Nazam Collection Urdu Poets UrduPoint Network Rafay Mahmood 20 April 2011 Ghani Khan The rhythms of hope Express tribune accessed 21 April 2011 Ghani Khan s Twenty one poems in Pashto and English translated by Taimur Khan 1 2 3 4 5 Needs clean up multiple references unclear 20th death anniversary of iconic Pashto poet Ghani Khan observed Archived from the original on 5 August 2017 Retrieved 4 August 2017 Sources EditMohammad Arif Khattak Ghani Khan A Poet of Social Reality ISBN 978 3 639 32391 7External links Edit Wikiquote has quotations related to Ghani Khan Wikimedia Commons has media related to Khan Abdul Ghani Khan Ghani Khan interviews images and poems Harappa Audio and video interviews Ghani Khan The Man in the Poet Usurped Ghani Khan Poetry Life amp Works of Ghani Khan Interview of Author of The Pilgrim of Beauty an English translation of Ghani Khan s 141 poems by Deewa radio Voice of America Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Abdul Ghani Khan amp oldid 1126431840, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
