The Poetry of Abdul Rasheed, the Founder of Prose poetry, and the Intellectual Horizons of Contemporary Urdu Poetry

Abstract

Abdur Rasheed is a relatively unfamiliar name beyond Urdu literary circles. However, his body of work is something that Urdu literature, particularly modern Urdu poetry, can take pride in. Rasheed Sahib belonged to a generation of poets that followed immediately after stalwarts such as Rashid and Majeed Amjad. Abdur Rasheed not only continued the traditions established by the aforementioned poets but also brought a thematic freshness and modern sensibility to modern Urdu poetry. This infusion of contemporary elements was informed by Rasheed Sahib's direct engagement with English literature and his awareness of modern and post-modern trends in international literature. In this article, we take a fresh look at Abdur Rasheed's debut poetic volume, 'Inni Kuntum Minazzalmeen.' Rasheed Sahib's distinctive individuality as a poet and his invaluable contributions to the development of modern Urdu poetry are illuminated.