PRESS

RELEASES AND REPORTS
REGARDING

LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF

‘TWIST OF FATES’
Held At P.A.L On 21st 2006

 

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  • AFZAL SHAUQ : A POET – MODERNIST PUSHTO POET

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Masood Aslam

 

(Press Reporter: Daily ‘Paksitan Observer’ Islamabad)

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Islamabad – Afzal Shauq belongs to that group of writers and poets who have pioneered post – modernism in Pushto poetry and literature. Critics and writer Ayaz Daudzai made these remarks on the launching ceremony of  “Twist of Fates” translation of Afzal Shauq’s Pushto poems.

 

The launching ceremony took place at Pakistan Academy of letters Islamabad and eminent scholar, social scientist and linguist Dr. Tariq Rehman presided over the ceremony, Chairman PAL Iftikhar Arif, Hashim Babar, Dr. Sher Zaman Taizai, Dr. Qabil Khan Afridi and Hasina Gul also spoke on the occasion. A message of Alley Boling who has rendered the translation of poems of Shauq was read by Khurram Khirram on the occasion.

 

According to Ayaz Daudzai, Afzal Shauq is anxious to travel across the world and is keen to unfold the beauties that lay scattered in different parts of the world. Beside visiting places of historical import, his interest in photography has also enhanced his power of observation.

 

His poems are thus based on the pictorial and sonic material he has composed these beautiful poems.

 

The book contains 333 short poems, most of which circle around humanity, hope and higher human values. Dr. Tariq Rehman in his presidential speech said , Pushto is an ancient language with glimpses of beauty and chivalry that dates back to hundreds of years old civilizations and one can have those glimpses recurring in Afzal Shauq’s poems. He called the Pushto language a sign and a symbol of rich Pushto culture and through translation of Pushto works one can watch the changes being taken place in the people who speak this language from closed quarters.

 

Dr. Tariq Rehman said in the age of globalization people and communities are coming closer to each other and thus the translation of regional literary works into major languages like English will further serve to promote understanding between the people and population of one region to the other.

 

Dr. Sher Zaman Taizai said Afzal shauq is well known name in Pushto literature especially in travelogue and short poems. His poems through  brief yet carry wisdom and deep insight with the image of free thoughts as free as Shauq’s verses itself and Alley Boling, the talented translator of his poems also seems to be guided or much inspired from his innovative and global poetic vision. Iftikhar Arif, Chairman Pakistan Academy of Letters said its not easy to translate a piece of literature without losing its essence and the translator has to have command on the both languages and their usage. Alley Boling has got that distinction that he has luckily succeeded in rendering the translation with same music and rhythm that was there in the Pushto literature.

      

( Published in Daily “Pakistan Observer” Islamabad / September 24th ,2006)

 

 

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  •  . TWIST OF FATES

          (Bridging The Gap Between

East And West)

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By: Abu Raheel

 

(Press Correspondent: ‘Balochistan Times’ Quetta)

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Quetta: IN a time when there seems to be an unbridgeable gap between the east and west, two writers have come together to show the world through art bridges are built.

 

THE EAST: Afghan, Afzal Shauq, highly respected author of poetry written in the Afghan language of Pashto.  The collection of 333 poems expresses the feelings and experiences of the author and the Afghan people.

 

Afzal Shauq was born in NWFP and did his Masters from the University of Balochistan, Quetta in Sociology. He has also been associated with radio Pakistan Quetta.

 

He is well known freelance writer having experience in social issues, he is also author of six books in Pashto language. He is one of prominent literary figures of the region and got much respect from the people of Pashtoon valleys both in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

 

THE WEST: Alley Boling, from the United States, driven by her desire for the English speaking world to understand all people share the same feelings desires and dreams dedicated herself to translating Shauq's poetry. 

 

IT is the writers' hope, though a TWIST OF FATES, may place us on opposite sides of the world, the art of poetry will bridge us together.

 

( Published in “Balochistan Times”Quetta / July 30th 2006)

 

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  •  . THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF

         “TWIST OF FATES”

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Press Release

( Daily ‘Pakistan Times’ Islamabad)

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Islamabad – The launching ceremony of Pashto language poet Afzal Shauq’s poems English translation  “ Twist of Fates ” took place at Pakistan Academy of letters Islamabad and the eminent scholar, and linguist Dr. Tariq Rehman, who presided the ceremony called the book as the bridge between the regional language to the major one and congratulated both , the American Alley Boling and the Pakistani Pashto poet Afzal Shauq on their successful work.

 

Famous Pashto writer Dr. Sher Zaman Taizai, who was the chief guest of the occasion added that Afzal Shauq is one of well known poets and travelogue writers in Pashto literature and is famous for his deep and innovative thoughts to present in short poems.

 

Dr. Qabil Khan Afridi, who contributed much to English and Pashto literature said that the translation of poetry to other language is difficult to handle but here I appreciate what English translator Alley Boling did to Afzal Shauq’s free Pashto verses which can be relatively easy then ghazal type poetry.

 

Ayaz Daudzai, Afzal Shauq is anxious to travel across the world and is keen to unfold the beauties that lay scattered in different parts of the world. Beside visiting places of historical import, his interest in photography has also enhanced his power of observation and his poems are thus based on the pictorial and sonic material he has composed these beautiful poems.

 

Chaiman PAL Iftikhar Arif, Hashim Babar, Dr. Sher Zaman Taizai, Dr. Qabil Khan Afridi and Hasina Gul also spoke on the occasion. While a message of Alley Boling who has rendered the translation of poems of Shauq was read by Khurram Khirram on the occasion.

 

( Published in Daily “Pakistan Times” / 24th September 2006 )

 

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  •  . ART AND LITERATURE ONLY TRUE PATH TO PEACE: BOLING

 

By: Schezee Zaidi

(Press Correspondent: Daily ‘The News’ Islamabad)

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Islamabad:  “ Art and literature is the true path to peace, which is not bound by rules of politics and warfare. It is my hope that the world is exposed to the literature of other countries, it would become evident to all that people every where are basically the same. We want hunger, love, and die … and when cut , we all bleed.”

 

American poet Alley Boling expressed these feelings at Pakistan Academy of letters Thursday while speaking at the launching of her English translated version “Twist of Fates” of Pashto poetic collection by Afzal Shauq. As she talked about her experience and aspiration about art and literature, she said, “I hold on the one dream, if we join together using our talents, we can achieve great good.”

 

Eminent scholar and expert Dr. Tariq Rehman chaired the launching ceremony, while Dr. Sher Zaman Taizai was the chief guest. Speakers sharing their views about the translation, found the book as a meeting point of East and West through poetry of Afzal Shauq.

 

Iftikhar Arif , Chairman Pakistan Academy of Letters said the book translated by the American poet is a unique and helpful step towards bridging the gap between East and west, conveying the modern sensibilities of the sensitive people living in the third world countries. He said the themes of Afzal Shauq’s poetry are universal brotherhood, fraternity, love, and an intense desire to improve the pitiable condition of the people suffering from poverty, injustice and discrimination.

 

Stressing he immense need to have a qualified translators who could produce good translations of the regional language literature, he said that PAL has played a significance role in getting a large number of important literary works from Pashto and other Pakistani regional languages in to English and publishing them in bi-annual English literature Journal “Pakistani Literature” regularly.

 

Among other speakers, dr. Tariq  Rehman, Dr. Sher Zaman Taizai, Dr. Qabil Khan Afridi, Hashim Babar, Ayaz Daudzai and Hasina Gul paid rich tributes to both the poet Afzal Shauq and the American poet  Alley Boling for her enriching and enigmatic translation. They also expressed the views that as literature has no borders and boundaries, it can be used as the medium of harp the theme of common humanity, and help obliterate all kinds of discrimination.

 

( Published in Daily The News Islamabad / September 22nd 2006)  

 

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  •  . ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF PASHTO POET’S WORK LAUNCHED

 

By : Sher Baz Khan

(Press Reporter: Daily ‘Dawn’ Islamabad)

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Islamabad, September 21st:  “ Twist of Fates” an English translation of verses of Pashto poet Afzal Shauq by an American writer, Alley Boling was launched at the Pakistan Academy of Letters her on Thursday.

 

Ms. Boling has tried to bridge the widening gaps between the Pakhtun civilization and that of America by translating  the works of Shauq which provide a mirror to the dreams, aspirations, nature and culture of Pakhtuns.

 

The ceremony was also a kicked off and heated debate over the translatability of poetry from one language to another especially from Pashto to English.

 

Pakistan Academy of Letters Chairman Iftikhar Arif said translation could never be a substitute for the original work but still an unavoidable means of transporting knowledge from one language to another and that was what the academy was up to.

 

Most of the literary  critics, who spoke on the occasion, also appreciated Ms. Alley Boling for doing the great job of translating from a language she did not know. In fact , first the wife of author and then the author himself had tried to make Ms. Boling understand the true spirit of his (Afzal Shauq) work and to translate it in the best possible manner.

  

Writer Hasham Babar said if a translator failed to perform the aesthetic function it could be called a bad translation no matter how well the form was preserved and he also appreciated the poetry of Afzal Shauq and work of Ms. Boling being the translator.

 

Writer Dr. Sher Zaman Taizai said most of the 333 verses of Afzal Shauq translated by Ms. Boling were short and in the form of free verses as cared little about style while catching fleeting ideas and putting them in the cages of words.

 

In her ( Alley Boling) emailed message, which was read out during the ceremony, Ms.Boling said it was  a matter of great honour for her to let the Americans see a world beyond their own world. She said it was the responsibility of writers to bring cultures and civilizations closer.

 

Writer Ayaz Daudzai said that the brave new generation was destined to become pioneer of Post – Modernism in Pashto literature. He said the poet ( Afzal Shauq) was anxious to tread that unbeaten path in the domain of 21st century Pashto literature and he successfully proved to be the leading Pakhtun literary figure, having the ability to address the globe through his missionary ideas for peace, life and humanity in his own and unique way of thinking.

 

Scholar D. Tariq Rehman, Dr. Qabil Khan, Khurram Khirram and poetess Haseena Gul also spoke on the occasion and appreciated the work done by Alley Boling under the book’s title “ Twist of Fates” which is the translation of Afzal Shauq’s poetry from Pashto to English language.

 

Afzal Shauq thanked the participants and Ms. Boling and hoped that the translation of his work would help in introducing Pakhto literature to new cultures.

 

( Published in Daily Dawn Islamabad/September 22nd 2006)

 

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