WE are a strange nation! We ignore poets, writers and intellectuals when they are among us and when they depart for their heavenly abode, we wail and mourn and admire their works. But in recent times, we have seen a pleasant change and the services of some living literary celebrities have been acknowledged in a befitting manner. And it is heartening to note that three books have recently appeared to pay tributes to Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik.

Prof Malik, one of the most senior critics and researchers of Urdu, will be celebrating his 89th birthday on June 18. Prof Malik was born in 1936, in a village near Talagang, some 120km from Islamabad, as he has mentioned in his autobiography Aashigana-iGhurbat Se Ashiyan Dar Ashiyan (L ahore, 2023). Malik`s native area was quite backward back then and educational facilities available there were next to none. But ProfMalik has the honour of having taughtatseveralPakistaniandforeign universities.

Prof Malik has been writing for over six decades now and in addition to his other literary works, he is especially known for his books, article and newspaper columns that he has penned from an ideological perspective. A staunch supporter of Pakistan and the Urdu language, he is inspired by the philosophical and ideological concepts that Allama Muhammad Iqbal expressed in his poetry and prose. That`s why one of the recently published books has aptly dubbed him `an ideological literary critic`. Malik`s services include tireless efforts to create conducive atmosphere to adopting Urdu as Pakistan`s official language, both as a scholar and the chairman of National Language Authority (renamed National Language Promotion Department).

In fact, he created quite an uproar when he declared that Urdu was Punjab`s mother tongue.

Pakistan Studies is another subject on which Malik is consideredan authority. His work at Germany`s Heidelberg University, where he held Iqbal Chair and taught South Asian history and literatures, won him many fans and friends. Malik`s stay at Colombia University, New York, as senior research associate,was as fruitful form Pakistan`s point of view, since Malik, during a seminar on Pakistan, was able to sniff some possible changes in American policy on issues like Afghanistan, Pashtunistan and Durand Line the international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, demarcated in 1893.

Sensing the peril, Malik informed Z. A. Bhutto, the then prime minister, of the possible shift in US stance. He promptly received a letter from Pakistan`s ministry of foreign affairs, conveying the prime minister`s appreciation.

As Prof Malik is approaching his nineties, it is the right time to acknowledge his commitment and sincerity. So three books, one in English and two in Urdu, have recently been published, paying him rich tributes. The first book, edited by Dr Saeed Shafgat and published by Lahore`s Sang-e-Meel Publications, is titled Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik: An Ideological Literary Critic. It proffers 40 articles on Malik`s works and his point of view. These articles are penned byrenowned writers and scholars, for instance, Muhammad Safdar Mir (Zeno), Intizar Husain, Khaled Ahmed, Ali Usman Qasmi, Mushir Anwar, Gilani Kamran and some others. Malik`s several interviews have also been included, making it easy for readers to understand the man and the personality.

The second book, titled Fateh Muhammad Malik Ki Tangeed Nigari, is compiled and edited by Dr Nisar Turabi. Published by the National Book Foundation, it is a collection of critical essays evaluating Prof Malik`s critical works. The articles by bigwigs, such as, Syed Abdullah, Ahmed Nadeed Qasmi, Intizar Husain, Tabassum Kashmiri, Rafiuddin Hashmi, Khursheed Rizvi, Ataul Haq Qasmi and many more, have been included.

The third book, compiled by Syed Roohul Ameen and published by Gujrat`s Izzat academy, is also an anthology of essays elucidating F.

M. Malik`s works and his ideology.

These are written by Prof Khursheed Ahmed, Moinuddin Ageel, Rasheed Amjad, EhsanAkber, Amjad Tufail, Khurseed Nadeem, Muhammad Hameed Shahid and some others.

Two pieces by Malik himself have also been included and they remind one of a strange aspect of Malik`s personality. Strange because these pieces reveal the affection and sincere friendship between Saleem Ahmed, a hardliner rightist, and Malik, a writer with avowed leftist leanings. But it reminds one of Malik`s peculiar approach: say what is true, no matter who gets offended.

So some critics find fault with Malik`s stance when he supports the progressive voices speaking for the downtrodden and, at the same time, praises Iqbal and agrees with his philosophy. But that`s how Malik is: candid and standing his conscientious grounds.

It`s nice to note that these books have covered a major portion of F.

M. Malik`s work. What is lacking, however, is a brief life sketch and a complete list of his books and articles.

drraufparekh@yahoo.comAkber, Amjad Tufail, Khurseed Nadeem, Muhammad Hameed Shahid and some others.

Two pieces by Malik himself have also been included and they remind one of a strange aspect of Malik`s personality. Strange because these pieces reveal the affection and sincere friendship between Saleem Ahmed, a hardliner rightist, and Malik, a writer with avowed leftist leanings. But it reminds one of Malik`s peculiar approach: say what is true, no matter who gets offended.

So some critics find fault with Malik`s stance when he supports the progressive voices speaking for the downtrodden and, at the same time, praises Iqbal and agrees with his philosophy. But that`s how Malik is: candid and standing his conscientious grounds.

It`s nice to note that these books have covered a major portion of F.

M. Malik`s work. What is lacking, however, is a brief life sketch and a complete list of his books and articles.

drraufparekh@yahoo.com