Imprisoned Thoughts

By Rehana Jamaldini

Literature, a world in itself covers the written works of a language, period, culture, imaginative or creative writing, particularly of recognized artistic value. Simply could be said to share one’s innermost thoughts, beliefs, anxieties and other delicate experiences. A God-gifted charisma to express things that couldn’t get a chance being voiced.

Literature encompasses the whole of human existence in its lap and reconciles them one way or another. It discerns no boundaries and goes yonder materialistic world. Literature is dressed in many languages and the magnificence of each language makes it more appealing to the readers. Balochistan, a place where instead of blood, literature flows in the strains of the people, is engrossed in a rich literary sense of taste.

The soil of Balochistan has enlightened the prominent literary depths names Atta Shad, Gul Khan Naseer, AzatJamaldini, Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi, Murad Awani and Yousaf Ali Khan Magsi. Their literary taste and fragrance of poetry will last endlessly to enhance the enlightenment in generations.

In this regard Nushki, the city wherein breathing you feel the aroma of Azat Jamaldini and Gull Khan Naseer’s Poetry. The Nushki town is celebrated for being golden deserted land, and each particle of its soil is adorned with Gohar Malik and Abdullah Jan Jamaldini’s eternal thoughts and infinite sentiments. Similarly, many other great minds are raised in Nushki including Munir Ahmed, Yarjan Baloch, Alim Ajeeb, Khuda Bux Shakaib and so on.

Encircled with these aesthetic essences, women in the area are having dreams of expressing themselves and letting the entire creation know the sentimentalities and imaginative contemplations they possess. Nevertheless, the idea of having a different perspective in regards to literature persists. It is painful to highlight that (Nushki) the land with rich literature in its air lacks the acceptance of women, being expressive in (Form of poetry) on matters which are elaborately discussed and written by men of the area.  Why?

Does gender really affect the way literature is produced?

As shared by Cassandra Clare: “Only the very Weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature”

Sadly,  literature specifically (Poetry) produced by women of the area are not admired. If a woman engraves something or intends to produce some sort of literature (poetry). People without wasting a second attach the story to her private life, never trying to interpret the reality and blaming her for what she has nothing to do with the truth. When it comes to women in writing Poetries, the men of the area attribute it to weaken the mind and amorous nature. Wearing this sort of nature women in the area are considered impious.

Let alone the other people, the related family will be ashamed knowing that their daughter, sister writes poetry. for them, poetry is something only to be expressed and written by men, as they normally do by praising, and cursing women with using many ridiculous ways in their poetry and songs. And men in the area are happy to quote the relevant lines without considering it a spot to their honour matters. They don’t know or don’t wanted to accept that creating literature has nothing to do with gender, it’s a feeling and anyone anywhere can have it without the gender controversy.

Michelle Obama once said: “Don’t let anyone speak for you, and don’t rely on others to fight for you”

Her words are encouraging but whom to fight with? Who to consider responsible for having reserved mindsets?

Hence, this is not something to be imposed on few individuals, rather it is a thought that persists deeply in the minds. This is not an individual battle. Somewhat it needs an acceptance of women writing chiefly creating (poetry), and the narrow concept of not acceptance of this must be discouraged and diminished.

People ought to know that literature is an art to express speculation and sentiments. Thus, the women writing (poetry) must be taken in a positive way towards transformation of the society.

Men in the area ought to admit and respect the power of pen used by women. Being very generous and sensitive women feel things that are not seen and felt with actual senses. Exhibiting the reality, women can add their part to move society towards a modification and positive change.

As Carolyn See said: “Every word a woman writes, changes the story of the world, revises the official version.”