Saraiki poet and novelist Rifat Abbas, who previously turned down an award by the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture (Pilac) in 2017, recently accepted the pride of performance award leaving literary circles surprised, especially in the Saraiki and Punjabi regions. However, he gave his reasons for accepting this particular award and rejecting the Pride of Punjab Award conferred on him by a Punjabi institute.
“I have reasons to accept this award because as a Pakistani the state has recognized my literary works in Saraiki language. Accepting the award will show the poets and writers of younger Saraiki generations that their works in their mother tongue can also be recognized at the national level. The award is also providing the Seraiki nation with an opportunity to stand with the nations in all federal units at the national level,” said Rifat while talking to Dawn.
On Independence Day, President Arif Alvi had announced names of the prominent figures in various disciplines selected for the civil awards, including the Pride of Performance Award for Rifat Abbas.
The infamous poet and novelist said that he had refused to accept the award by Pilac on moral grounds as the institute was working under the patronage of the Punjab Information and Culture Department for the promotion of Punjabi language, art and culture.
“Being a poet, I had not rendered any service for the promotion of Punjabi language but my all services were for the promotion of Saraiki language. Similarly, being a Seraiki nationalist, I am a part of the struggle for a separate federating unit as we (Seraikis) are a separate nation and have a separate language and culture. I am a neighbour to the other oppressed nations like Sindhi, Baloch and Pashtun, that are also under the suppression of Punjab and by accepting that Pilac award, I would have lost grounds to support these nations,” he said and added that he had accepted the award this time as a Pakistani citizen.
Rifat added that he was confident that a dialogue between the nations living in Pakistan would take a new direction. “Being a Seraiki poet I am loyal to my language and land and a supporter of Seraiki province. However, I also love my country,” he declared.
“Over the years, he has reinterpreted the history of this area as opposed to all the historians taking dictations from the rulers. Instead, he depended on oral history, mixed with fables,” said Dr Ahmad about Rifat.
Dean faculty of languages and chairman Seraiki Department Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) Dr Javed Chandio said, “In 35 years to his poetic journey, Rifat has made his poetry a narrative of resistance for his nation as well as a source of expression of the aesthetic beauty of Saraiki language”.
