Literary Column Writing (From 1947 to the Bengal Partition)

ادبی کالم نگاری(1947ء تا تقسیم بنگال)

Abstract

This research article explores the evolution and distinctive features of literary column writing in Pakistan from 1947 to the Partition of Bengal. It begins by highlighting the pioneering columnists who, after the establishment of Pakistan, played a crucial role in shaping literary column writing as a recognized literary genre. The study examines the intricate relationship between literary columns and literature, establishing their significance in the literary and journalistic landscape of Pakistan. Key questions addressed in this study include: What defines a literary column? How does it relate to literature, and in what ways does it meet literary demands? Additionally, the research delves into the role of gender and nationalistic discourse in Pakistani journalism. The origins of column writing in the shibh-e-qārrah (subcontinent) and its contemporary standing are also explored. The study considers the influential newspapers of the subcontinent that significantly contributed to the development of literary column writing.

The research further analyzes the themes covered in literary columns, including the socio-political conditions of Pakistan, the imposition of martial law, political turmoil, and the challenges faced by the nation in its early years. Special focus is given to the tenure of Ayyūb Khān, the censorship imposed on journalism, and the struggles of columnists who resisted these restrictions. Moreover, the article examines the political ascent of Zulfiqār ‘Alī Bhutto, the Fall of Ḍhākā, and the subsequent political conflicts. It concludes by discussing the power struggles among political parties, internal disputes, the arrest of Shaykh Mujībūr Raḥmān, and the eventual separation of East Pakistan.