DefinePK

Abstract

                        This article explores the poetic vision of Ahmad Mushtaq, highlighting his distinctive ability to merge the realms of ḥaqīqat (reality) and majāz (metaphor). Ahmad Mushtaq’s poetry embodies a unique balance between lived experiences and imaginative expression, where themes of migration, memory, love, separation, and the passage of time intertwine with socio-political realities. By situating his works within the broader tradition of Urdu poetry, the study examines how he redefines the boundaries between reality and metaphor, allowing personal emotions to resonate with collective consciousness. His verses not only capture the existential depth of individual sorrow and longing but also reflect the struggles of displacement and the transient nature of life. The article argues that Mushtaq’s poetic craft lies in his ability to transform reality into metaphor and metaphor into reality, thereby enriching Urdu literary expression with new dimensions of thought and feeling.