Representation of Pakistani Indigenous Culture in Taufiq Rafat’s Arrival of the Monsoon

Abstract

Pakistani poet, Taufiq Rafat epitomizes the accurate Pakistani indigenous culture in his poems in a foreign language since his verse is laden with an essence of local and cultural ethos in the form of local idiom, imagery, and symbolism which exhibits his interest in the roots. The present research explores that Rafat is an upholder of “native” and “local” cultural ethos. The research is based upon the concept given by Frantz Fanon that the native intellectuals have a dominant role in forging the new cultural and national consciousness in native people and worldwide. Further, the concept of the nation by Benedict Anderson is also used highlighting that the nation is an imagined political community. The concept of ethno-symbolism, about national identity by Anthony D. Smith that myths, memories, values, traditions, and symbols, play their role as powerful differentiators and reminders of the unique culture and fate of the ethnic community will enhance the understanding of the subject matter relevant to indigenous culture through the close reading of the selected poems. Thus, the work concludes that Rafat with profound wisdom on national perception shapes his poetry which is an authentic source of knowledge about Pakistan’s native culture.