Karam Haidari: A Credible Voice of the Soil of Pothohar

In the history of Urdu literature, there have been personalities who
not only nurtured the language but also introduced the culture,
civilization and local dialects of their regions to the world stage.
Among these towering figures stands the name of Karam Haidari. He was
not merely a poet or a writer; rather, he represented an entire
literary tradition that brought forth a garden of literature from the
rugged land of Pothohar. His literary life is marked by a beautiful
fusion of Urdu and Pothohari languages. He picked up the pen at a time
when regional languages did not enjoy the scholarly status they do
today and through tireless effort, he elevated Pothohari from a
household dialect to a “language of books.”

Karam Haidari’s real name was Raja Muhammad Karam Dad Khan. He was
born in 1918 in the village of Pharwala, near Rawalpindi. He belonged
to the Gakhar family, historically known for bravery and
administrative skill in the region. The fort of Pharwala is famous for
its historical importance and this very environment instilled in him a
deep respect for ancient traditions and a love for his soil. His
father, Raja Sultan Ali Khan, was a landowner, but Karam Haidari was
inclined toward knowledge and literature from an early age.

He received his early education locally and later moved to Rawalpindi
for higher education. During his time, independence movements across
the Indian subcontinent were at their peak. He was deeply influenced
by the Aligarh Movement and the thought of Allama Iqbal. As a result,
his writings reflect both classical depth and a strong sense of
modernity and national consciousness. He studied Persian and Urdu
literature extensively, which refined his poetic taste.

Karam Haidari began his literary journey with Urdu poetry. He showed
equal command over both ghazal and nazm. His Urdu poetry, while rooted
in classical traditions, carries a distinct earthy sensibility. His
ghazals combine lyrical beauty with elements of mysticism and
philosophy of life. He expressed human emotions with simplicity yet
depth and his verses possess a resonance that touches the reader
directly. His nazms reflect his social awareness, raising his voice
against poverty, ignorance and social injustice. His poetry is not
merely a collection of words but a lament of his era.

His greatest contribution lies in the promotion of Pothohari language
and literature. Before him, Pothohari was largely considered a
language of folk songs such as mahiya and tappay. He realized that
unless a language develops scholarly depth and quality literature, it
cannot survive.

Collection of Folk Heritage: He traveled from village to village to
collect ancient Pothohari folk songs, tales and idioms.
A New Tone in Pothohari Poetry: By writing ghazals, nazms and elegies
in Pothohari, he proved that the language is capable of expressing
both subtle and profound emotions.
Pothohari Prose: He enriched the prose tradition by writing critical
and research-based essays in Pothohari.

Radio Pakistan Rawalpindi played a major role in his fame. He remained
associated with the radio for a long time. His powerful voice and
unique style of delivery made him widely popular among the masses.
Through radio, he provided a platform for poets and artists from
remote areas of Pothohar. His program Jamhur Di Awaz and other
literary broadcasts remain a golden part of radio history.

On the horizon of Urdu literature, Karam Haidari appears as a
multifaceted personality whose contributions are not limited to poetry
alone; he also rendered valuable services in research, biography and
the preservation of folk heritage. His works uphold classical Urdu
traditions while also reflecting a deep connection with the soil and
culture of his region. A brief introduction to his major works is as
follows:

Khwab-e-Tamanna (Dream of Desire): His first poetry collection, which
introduced him as a distinctive voice, blending classical and modern
styles.

Lahoo Ki Mehak (The Fragrance of Blood): A collection representing his
mature poetic expression and artistic excellence, deeply portraying
human emotions and social awareness.

Atish-e-Kada (The House of Fire): A collection of national and
patriotic poems written in the backdrop of the Pakistan Movement,
reflecting passion for the nation and the value of freedom.

Ni‘am: A collection comprising hamd, naat and manqabat, reflecting his
spiritual devotion and love for the Prophet (peace be upon him), while
maintaining poetic excellence.

Saya-e-Gul (The Shade of a Flower): Another important poetic work
focusing on nature and the delicate aspects of human life, further
strengthening his popularity.

Sarzameen-e-Pothohar (The Land of Pothohar): A comprehensive and
authentic research work on the history, culture and literary heritage
of the Pothohar region.

Pothohari Geet (Pothohari Songs): A compilation and literary analysis
of ancient folk songs, representing a major scholarly contribution to
cultural preservation.

Pothohari Lok Kahaniyan (Pothohari Folk Tales): A written record of
traditional oral stories, aimed at connecting younger generations with
their heritage and moral values.

Quaid-e-Azam: Personality and Character: A significant biographical
work on the founder of Pakistan, highlighting his political struggle
and personal qualities in a clear and accessible manner.

Pir Mehr Ali Shah: Punjabi and Persian Poetry: A scholarly compilation
and explanation of the works of the great Sufi saint of Golra Sharif,
offering valuable insight for students of mysticism.

Karam Haidari played a central role in making Rawalpindi a hub of
literary activity. He was a driving force behind literary
organizations such as Bazm-e-Farogh-e-Adab. His residence became a
gathering place where writers and poets would meet regularly and young
writers were trained and encouraged. He maintained close relations
with contemporaries such as Zamir Jafri, Saifuddin Saif and others.

Research was his specialized field. He closely studied the history of
the Indian subcontinent, particularly the Pothohar region. His
research articles, published in various journals, uncovered forgotten
chapters of history. He established that Pothohar is not merely a land
of warriors but also a center of knowledge and wisdom.

During the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, when the Writers’
Housing Society was established and its management entrusted to Karam
Haidari and Syed Zamir Jafri, they worked tirelessly to make it a
reality. The purpose of this society was to provide dignified housing
to writers so they could continue their creative and intellectual work
more effectively. During General Zia-ul-Haq’s authoritarian era, this
society played a remarkable role. Karam Haidari brought together
writers from opposing as well as supporting viewpoints onto a single
platform. As a result of his efforts, plots of five marlas were
allotted to writers by the Government of Pakistan in the expensive
city of Islamabad. This initiative proved to be a practical support in
their lives, as most writers had previously been living in rented
houses in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Notably, some of these writers had
been dismissed from their jobs during Zia’s regime simply for
exercising their right to write. The Capital Development Authority
also contributed to this effort, bringing writers together in one
place. Government employees from Radio Pakistan and the television
station were also part of this community, creating a shared literary
and creative environment. Around thirty-five to forty writers
benefited from this initiative and were able to realize their dream of
owning a home in Islamabad.

This great servant of Urdu and Pothohari passed away on June 1, 1994.
The void created by his death has not been filled to this day.
However, his writings and ideas still resonate in every corner of
Pothohar. His efforts not only provided practical support to writers
but also left a lasting message for future generations: that the power
of the pen and collective effort can bring lasting change in society.
His memory remains alive in literary gatherings and intellectual
discussions and his name continues to be remembered with deep respect.

References

Karam Haidari. Pothohari Lok Geet. Rawalpindi: Nair Publications.
Zamir Jafri. Karam Haidari: Personality and Art. Islamabad: Pakistan
Academy of Letters.
Dr. Nazir Anwar. History of Pothohari Literature. Lahore: Aziz Book Depot.
Dr. Waheed Qureshi. Regional Background of Urdu Literature. Karachi:
National Language Authority.
Urdu Encyclopedia of Islam. (Vol. 15). University of Punjab, Lahore.
Dr. Rashid Ahmad Khan. Notable Figures of the Pothohar Region.
Rawalpindi: Gandhara Art Council.
Radio Pakistan Archives. Special Documentary Program: Yaad-e-Karam Haidari.
Daily Nawa-i-Waqt. Special Edition on the literary services of Karam Haidari.
Magazine Lok Virsa. National Institute of Folk and Traditional
Heritage, Islamabad.
Dr. Abul Lais Siddiqui. Trends in Modern Urdu Poetry. Delhi: Maktaba Jamia.

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Opinion Desk.