Zafar Iqbal and the New Linguistic Formations

Abstract

In the vibrant realm of Urdu literature, amidst the echoes of tradition, emerged Zafar Iqbal, a luminary paving the path for a linguistic revolution. A movement was born - Lisani Tashkilat - where the pioneers, including Iftekhar Jalib, Anees Nagi, and the visionary Zafar Iqbal, recognized the yearning of their era for a fresh lexicon, a new cadence to match the pulse of modernity. Gone were the days when the antiquated structure of words and sentences could adequately convey the essence of contemporary life. The old linguistic landscape, once revered, now lay barren, marred by ambiguity and obsolescence. The call for change resonated through the corridors of Urdu literature, demanding a rejuvenation of expression.

In this epochal shift, the ghazal, a timeless form of poetic expression, found itself revitalized. Zafar Iqbal, wielding his literary prowess, embarked on a journey of linguistic exploration within the pages of his seminal works, "Gulaftab" and "Aab e Rawan." For him, the relics of yesteryears held no sway over the present; they were but echoes of a bygone era. Thus, he introduced the concept of 'Portmanteau,' where disparate words converged to birth a novel entity, pregnant with meaning. Through this innovative technique, Zafar Iqbal breathed life into the stagnant waters of Urdu literature, infusing it with the vibrancy of contemporary expression. The movement gained momentum, spanning the decades from 1960 to 1980, its ripples felt far and wide. Poets, enamored by the allure of this linguistic metamorphosis, embraced the new structure with fervor, weaving tales of modernity with words anew. Lisani Tashkilat became not just a movement, but a testament to the enduring evolution of language and its boundless capacity for innovation.