Varasteh's Contribution to Literary Criticism Among Indo-Persian Writers of the Subcontinent مقالة

خلاصة:

The most important field of literary criticism in Persian literature in India has emerged. The long-term presence of Iranian culture in India—from the Ghaznavid era until shortly before the British rule over India—bore fruit at the end of a prosperous era. The literary movement among Indian and Iranian writers regarding the Persian language and rhetoric has a long history. This dispute apparently began with Amir Khusrau and extends to Urfi Shirazi (999 AH), Faizi (d. 1004 AH), Munir Lahori (1019–1054 AH), Haji Mohammad Jan Qudsi (d. 1056 AH), and Mulla Shida (d. 1080 AH). The most famous literary debate between Sheikh Ali Hazin (d. 1180 AH)—a prominent poet and profound writer—and Siraj al-Din Ali Khan Arzoo (d. 1169 AH)—a great critic and astute man of letters—led to the creation of several valuable books, including: Tanbih al-Ghafilin by Arzoo, Ibtal al-Batil by Fath Ali Khan Gardizi, Qawl-e Faysal by Imam Bakhsh Sahba'i, Muhakamat al-Shu'ara by Mir Mohsen Akbarabadi, Naqd-e Mohammad Azim Sabat, and later books in this field such as Sha'iri dar Hojum-e Montaghedan by Shafiei Kadkani and others. Sayyali Quti Mel Varasteh (his full name—Laleh Andar Bahān, known as Sayyali Quti Mel Varasteh—is known only from one source, 'Char Bagh Punjab' by Ganish Das Wadira) has a significant contribution to this literary movement. He is considered a master of rhetoric and a discerning critic of the subcontinent. Varasteh's critical works include Ihqaq al-Haq (in response to Arzoo's criticisms in defense of Sheikh Ali Hazin, written before 1152 AH), Jawab-e Shafi (in response to Arzoo's objections to the poetry of Abdul Hakim Hakim, written in 1163 AH), and his critical skill in other writings (Mustalahat al-Shu'ara, Matla al-Sa'dayn, Mansha'at-e Varasteh, Bayaz-e Varasteh) has led to the deconstruction of literary criticism in the Indian style. In responding to objections, Varasteh, by discovering the concepts of rhetorical, grammatical, philosophical, and musical combinations, as well as poetic meter and rhyme, has provided rich treasures for the criticism of Persian literature.