DefinePK

Abstract

This research article explores the multifaceted contributions of Professor Mushtaq Qamar to the genre of Urdu essay (Inshaiya). While Mushtaq Qamar was proficient in various literary forms including fiction, drama, and novel-writing, this study focuses specifically on his essayistic style, thematic richness, and artistic expression. As a prominent voice of the post-modern Urdu prose tradition, Qamar’s essays reflect a seamless blend of humor, satire, cultural memory, and intellectual depth. His writings traverse the complexities of contemporary social realities, cultural decline, nostalgia, and the existential dilemmas of modern man. The article examines how Qamar's prose employs rhetorical techniques such as metaphor, irony, parody, and conversational tone to provoke thought while maintaining a humorous undertone. His work is situated within the larger framework of Urdu essay development, particularly after the pioneering contributions of Dr. Wazir Agha. The study concludes that Mushtaq Qamar’s essays represent a significant cultural and intellectual archive that combines aesthetic elegance with philosophical inquiry, making him a unique and influential voice in the field of modern Urdu essay writing.