In the history of Urdu literature, there have been personalities who not only nurtured the language but also introduced the culture, civilization and local dialects of their regions to the world stage. Among these towering figures stands the name of Karam Haidari.

He was not merely a poet or a writer; rather, he represented an entire literary tradition that brought forth a garden of literature from the rugged land of Pothohar. His literary life is marked by a beautiful fusion of Urdu and Pothohari languages. He picked up the pen at a time when regional languages did not enjoy the scholarly status they do today and through tireless effort, he elevated Pothohari from a household dialect to a “language of books.”

Karam Haidari’s real name was Raja Muhammad Karam Dad Khan. He was born in 1918 in the village of Pharwala, near Rawalpindi. He belonged to the Gakhar family, historically known for bravery and administrative skill in the region. The fort of Pharwala is famous for its historical importance and this very environment instilled in him a deep respect for ancient traditions and a love for his soil. His father, Raja Sultan Ali Khan, was a landowner, but Karam Haidari was inclined toward knowledge and literature from an early age.

He received his early education locally and later moved to Rawalpindi for higher education. During his time, independence movements across the Indian subcontinent were at their peak. He was deeply influenced by the Aligarh Movement and the thought of Allama Iqbal. As a result, his writings reflect both classical depth and a strong sense of modernity and national consciousness. He studied Persian and Urdu literature extensively, which refined his poetic taste.

Karam Haidari began his literary journey with Urdu poetry. He showed equal command over both ghazal and nazm. His Urdu poetry, while rooted in classical traditions, carries a distinct earthy sensibility. His ghazals combine lyrical beauty with elements of mysticism and philosophy of life. He expressed human emotions with simplicity yet depth and his verses possess a resonance that touches the reader directly. His nazms reflect his social awareness, raising his voice against poverty, ignorance and social injustice. His poetry is not merely a collection of words but a lament of his era.

His greatest contribution lies in the promotion of Pothohari language and literature. Before him, Pothohari was largely considered a language of folk songs such as mahiya and tappay. He realized that unless a language develops scholarly depth and quality literature, it cannot survive.
Collection of Folk Heritage: He traveled from village to village to collect ancient Pothohari folk songs, tales and idioms.

A New Tone in Pothohari Poetry: By writing ghazals, nazms and elegies in Pothohari, he proved that the language is capable of expressing both subtle and profound emotions.
Pothohari Prose: He enriched the prose tradition by writing critical and research-based essays in Pothohari.

Radio Pakistan Rawalpindi played a major role in his fame. He remained associated with the radio for a long time. His powerful voice and unique style of delivery made him widely popular among the masses. Through radio, he provided a platform for poets and artists from remote areas of Pothohar. His program Jamhur Di Awaz and other literary broadcasts remain a golden part of radio history.

On the horizon of Urdu literature, Karam Haidari appears as a multifaceted personality whose contributions are not limited to poetry alone; he also rendered valuable services in research, biography and the preservation of folk heritage. His works uphold classical Urdu traditions while also reflecting a deep connection with the soil and culture of his region. A brief introduction to his major works is as follows:

Khwab-e-Tamanna (Dream of Desire): His first poetry collection, which introduced him as a distinctive voice, blending classical and modern styles.

Lahoo Ki Mehak (The Fragrance of Blood): A collection representing his mature poetic expression and artistic excellence, deeply portraying human emotions and social awareness.

Atish-e-Kada (The House of Fire): A collection of national and patriotic poems written in the backdrop of the Pakistan Movement, reflecting passion for the nation and the value of freedom.
Ni‘am: A collection comprising hamd, naat and manqabat, reflecting his spiritual devotion and love for the Prophet (peace be upon him), while maintaining poetic excellence.

Saya-e-Gul (The Shade of a Flower): Another important poetic work focusing on nature and the delicate aspects of human life, further strengthening his popularity.

Sarzameen-e-Pothohar (The Land of Pothohar): A comprehensive and authentic research work on the history, culture and literary heritage of the Pothohar region.

Pothohari Geet (Pothohari Songs): A compilation and literary analysis of ancient folk songs, representing a major scholarly contribution to cultural preservation.

Pothohari Lok Kahaniyan (Pothohari Folk Tales): A written record of traditional oral stories, aimed at connecting younger generations with their heritage and moral values.

Quaid-e-Azam: Personality and Character: A significant biographical work on the founder of Pakistan, highlighting his political struggle and personal qualities in a clear and accessible manner.

Pir Mehr Ali Shah: Punjabi and Persian Poetry: A scholarly compilation and explanation of the works of the great Sufi saint of Golra Sharif, offering valuable insight for students of mysticism.

Karam Haidari played a central role in making Rawalpindi a hub of literary activity. He was a driving force behind literary organizations such as Bazm-e-Farogh-e-Adab. His residence became a gathering place where writers and poets would meet regularly and young writers were trained and encouraged. He maintained close relations with contemporaries such as Zamir Jafri, Saifuddin Saif and others.

Research was his specialized field. He closely studied the history of the Indian subcontinent, particularly the Pothohar region. His research articles, published in various journals, uncovered forgotten chapters of history. He established that Pothohar is not merely a land of warriors but also a center of knowledge and wisdom.

During the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, when the Writers’ Housing Society was established and its management entrusted to Karam Haidari and Syed Zamir Jafri, they worked tirelessly to make it a reality. The purpose of this society was to provide dignified housing to writers so they could continue their creative and intellectual work more effectively.

During General Zia-ul-Haq’s authoritarian era, this society played a remarkable role. Karam Haidari brought together writers from opposing as well as supporting viewpoints onto a single platform. As a result of his efforts, plots of five marlas were allotted to writers by the Government of Pakistan in the expensive city of Islamabad.

This initiative proved to be a practical support in their lives, as most writers had previously been living in rented houses in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Notably, some of these writers had been dismissed from their jobs during Zia’s regime simply for exercising their right to write.

The Capital Development Authority also contributed to this effort, bringing writers together in one place. Government employees from Radio Pakistan and the television station were also part of this community, creating a shared literary and creative environment. Around thirty-five to forty writers benefited from this initiative and were able to realize their dream of owning a home in Islamabad.

This great servant of Urdu and Pothohari passed away on June 1, 1994. The void created by his death has not been filled to this day. However, his writings and ideas still resonate in every corner of Pothohar. His efforts not only provided practical support to writers but also left a lasting message for future generations: that the power of the pen and collective effort can bring lasting change in society. His memory remains alive in literary gatherings and intellectual discussions and his name continues to be remembered with deep respect.

References

Karam Haidari. Pothohari Lok Geet. Rawalpindi: Nair Publications.
Zamir Jafri. Karam Haidari: Personality and Art. Islamabad: Pakistan Academy of Letters.
Dr. Nazir Anwar. History of Pothohari Literature. Lahore: Aziz Book Depot.
Dr. Waheed Qureshi. Regional Background of Urdu Literature. Karachi: National Language Authority.
Urdu Encyclopedia of Islam. (Vol. 15). University of Punjab, Lahore.
Dr. Rashid Ahmad Khan. Notable Figures of the Pothohar Region. Rawalpindi: Gandhara Art Council.
Radio Pakistan Archives. Special Documentary Program: Yaad-e-Karam Haidari.
Daily Nawa-i-Waqt. Special Edition on the literary services of Karam Haidari.
Magazine Lok Virsa. National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Islamabad.
Dr. Abul Lais Siddiqui. Trends in Modern Urdu Poetry. Delhi: Maktaba Jamia.