HUMOUR AND SATIRE IN PROSE AND

POETRY OF COL MUHAMMAD KHALID

KHAN

“IN THE OF NAME ALLAH , THE MOST BENEFICENT AND THE MOST

MERCIFUL”

INTRODUCTION

CRITICAL ANALYSIS IN GENERAL

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF KHAKI LIFAFA

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF “ANNAP SHANAP”

CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION

Col Muhammad Khalid Khan Mehr’s comic prose and poetry, comedy and satire are the reflection on the disorderly condition of human life. It is the criticism on the darker side of life which is free from personal prejudices and converts the ugliness of society into beauty. It is the big tragedy of life that due to bitterness of facts and unevenness of environment, human being is facing pains and troubles on every step of life. Comedy and satire are the positive side of the human nature due to which bitterness of life and facts of tense environment can become bearable. This is human nature’s marry making which is helpful in reducing the seriousness of the trials and tribulations in life. Comedy is the mental state and satire is the practical declaration.

According to Mark Twain, in poverty, humour has no doubt very effective weapon which brings smile or laughter to him. Wealth, instigation, request and civilization all these ways can weaken the silly and foolishness to great extent. But smile is such a weapon which can destroy all these evils into parts. The writer is related to such an occupation in which pains, tensions and troubles are there. In such a situation a healer is needed who spreads smile on the lips of youngsters with help of which they can cross barriers with smiling face.

Mehr has selected comedy and satire for the happiness of his youngsters because he considers it as simple weapon. Besides it, he is also aware of the saying of Holy Prophet (S.A.W) that smile is the best gift for one Muslim to another. Col Khalid is basically the student of English literature, that is why his comedy has not only the colour of East but also of West. Human pains are same in almost every nook and corner of the world. Buddha has said that this world is full of pains. That’s why to cure the pain of people is like worship and sacrifice.

Jonathan Swift has said that comedy and satire are just like a mirror in which a person sees not only his own face but also of others. That’s why comedy and satire are appreciated. In Urdu literature, the writers of comedy and satire are very few, because this is very difficult art. In fact comedy is that in which the writer points out surpluses and troubles in surrounding events through feelings, observations, and experiences in a light mood. Johnson calls comedy a poem, the purpose of which is to capture the mistakes while Dryden and Dafoe’s theory is that of reformer. One of the big purposes among the purpose of comedy is the correction of mischief or wickedness.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF KHAKI LIFAFA In society, comedy and satire can grow at time when the people or individuals of the society have certain conflicts with one another, due to which there is a state of chaos or confusion. Col Khalid Khan Mehr has presented Urdu, English, and Hindko poetry in a very light and comic way. Keeping in view the literary devices for poetry, his book “Khaki Lifafa” is one of his best prose writing because it is unbiased and his purpose of comedy is to bring information rather targeting any person. “Khaki Lifafa” is Colonel’s best effort because most of his life he has been in Army, so he depicts army specifically and common life in general. He has discussed or presented all the aspects of life in a very comic way being self –critical as well. People who hide their hateful faces are shown to them by poet in this age of selfishness. It works like a torch bearer as we see thorns with flowers.

The writer has tried his best to show the changing disguise of today’s man, sometimes in the shape of a juggler and sometimes a courtier who are looking busy, making flattery but like donkeys carrying their own and others burden leave the world. It is not desirable to take leave in army as well as in civil institutions. Although the leave is requested as a compulsion. A fabulous example of this is the “Leave Register.” “Shararati Baba” is a work having a moral lesson.

“Khaki Lifafa” puts light on different aspects of life in a light mood. The life of common man is full of mischief, cleverness and hypocrisy that has been with humans for long been and will remain forever.

“Khaki Lifafa” being brown in colour is still shining. The reading of this book clarifies the difference between good and bad. It depicts the success of human life. God has also sent His book for the guidance of humanity. “Khaki Lifafa” is not only a comedy but also guides its readers and presents the seriousness of life as well. If reading this book makes you smile for a moment, it will be considered a great success of this book.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ANNAP SHANAP

Col Khalid’s humorous poetry book “Annap Shanap” paved way for him to be included in the last five hundred years humorists by a well known poet, researcher and scholar, Dr. Inam Ul Haq Javed. The book is dedicated to the soldiers of Pakistan Army, who know how to smile under adverse conditions.According to Dr. Inam Ul Haq Javed, Col Khalid Khan is new addition in the community of humorists. He will definitely be welcomed by the humorists in particular and by the public in general.

The poetry of the poet was being published in very many magazines and I had been reading it, but now seeing all his poetic efforts in the book form, I am astonished to see that with slow pace he has become regular member of community of humorists. According to Altaf Qamar every man is fighting a war on his own battle front. But in this battle any weapon can be used.

The poet is also a warrior who initiates battle against narrow mindedness of the society and other social evils. Poetry is a weapon of a poet which he uses in his own style.

CONCLUSIONCol Khalid has uncovered

the unevenness of society in his own distinct style. His

observation is keen, experience is vast and his

writing is fascinating. He talks about the evils of society in light and straight forward

manner so who so ever reads it a smile comes on his face

THANK YOU