The Role of Majlis-e-Shah Hussain in Promoting Punjabi Literary and Lingual Activism during 1964-1996
Keywords:
Majlis-e-Shah Hussain, Shah Hussain College, Punjabi Lingual and Literary Radicalism, Punjabi as a medium of Instruction, and Punjabi Identity and Culture.Abstract
Majlis-e-Shah Hussain played a vital role in promoting the Punjabi language, literature, and cultural activism in Punjab, particularly between 1964 and the 1970s. Its creation was the outcome of the efforts of the Progressive litterateurs, poets, and activists. Initially, it was founded as an organization to disseminate Shah Hussain's work, but in practice, it proved to be an effective platform for promoting broader lingual and literary causes. During a period when government policies favoring Urdu and English led to the marginalization of Punjabi at various levels, it endeavored to give Punjabi its rightful status and made sustained efforts to promote Punjabi language and literature. Its major contribution was its initiative to preserve the legacy of Punjabi classical poets and litterateurs. Another significant contribution was the establishment of Shah Hussain College, whose founders tried to use it as an instrument to revamp the entire educational system. The article traces the rise and falls of this very important yet largely ignored literary and cultural organization in the postcolonial West Punjab. It argues that, despite all the challenges, it carved out a distinctive niche in the history of the Punjabi language and cultural activism.
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