Romanticism as a Pillar of Nationalism

Romanticism as a Pillar of Nationalism

Ideas change the world. This thing is historically proved that ideas are generated through thinking process. If a country progresses, it means that the people of that country produce ideas but if a country declines, it shows that the people’s thought processes are stagnant. To develop the declining nationalism of a country, new ideas must be introduced. If we look at our society, an extreme need of new ideas will be felt. To change the worse condition of our nation, romanticism can be the best possible idea.

Romanticism is actually a complex, literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18^th century in Western Europe . It was a revolt against aristocratic, political and social norms of the age of enlightenment. It was also a reaction against the scientific rationalization of nature. The basic aims of romanticism are as under:

1. A return to nature and belief in the goodness of humanity.

2. The rediscovery of the artist as an individual creator.

3. The development of nationalistic pride.

4. The exaltation of senses and emotions over reason and intellect.

Nationalism comprises of the people’s sense of belonging together as a nation. It includes several feelings like loyalty to the nation, pride in its culture and history and a desire for national independence. It provokes the people of a country to have a sense of sacrifice for their country. All these characteristics shape the masses into a nation and thus nationalism develops in a country.

In the third world countries, generally, and in our country particularly, nationalism is declining rapidly. A general overview of our society clearly shows that there is no sense of togetherness in the people. People are not loyal to the country. People are not proud of their culture and history. Even they have no desire for national independence. In short, all the characteristics of nationalism are lacking in our country. If we determine romanticism as our guiding star, we can make progress like other developed countries.

As romanticism is a revolt against aristocratic, political and social norms of the age of enlightenment, in the same way, in our country, aristocratic thinking is enriched in the minds of landlords. They regard people as animals. They exploit them physically and emotionally. They do not encourage them to get education so that they may not be able to think about their future. So people spoil their lives while serving them. In our country, people are politically harassed and bought. All these demerits weaken nationalism. To avoid these demerits, romanticism gives an idea of revolt. If the people who are being exploited get united and rebel against these aristocratic and political minds, they can get their rights.

Loyalty to the nation and pride in its culture and history are the basic concerns of nationalism but unfortunately, our nationalism lacks both of them. People of our country

are not loyal to it any more. Our young generation wants to study in foreign countries. After getting higher education, most of the students want to serve foreign countries rather than their own country. Even a lay man prefers foreign countries to work rather than his own country. We do not respect our culture and history as well. Our bent towards other cultures reflects through our marriage ceremonies and other social functions. This thing shows that we do not value our history as well. We have actually forgotten our own culture and basics. Romanticism guides us in this way as well. It stresses on the nationalistic pride. In romanticism, people are always in the favor of their country. Their identity is wholly affiliated to the nationalism of the country. People struggle for the betterment of the country to make it a developed one. In this way, they feel a pride within themselves for their country. So by following this characteristic of romanticism, one may achieve the nationalistic pride.

In our society, people have become so materialistic that they have no time for their families. They lead such a rushed life which drives them away from the natural beauty. They harm others for their own benefits. This thing creates a sense of selfishness in them which ultimately makes them insensitive. Here romanticism again serves as a torch- bearer for us. It takes us away from the scientific rationalization of nature. It gives us a break and makes us return to nature. Romanticism believes in the goodness of humanity as well. It imparts a spirit of sacrifice in human beings. So by following this rule of romanticism, one can get rid of selfishness and insensitivity.

In our society, people have eyes but cannot see. They have tongues but cannot speak. People see bad things happening but remain silent. They do not show any urge to speak against any cruelty. People remain silent because they have not got individual rights. They remain busy to get livelihood. But romanticism gives insight to the blind and a voice to the dumb. It encourages an individual to speak for his rights. So one can snatch one’s rights by following this rule of romanticism and if a man fights for his rights, he actually fights for the rights of the whole nation. So this thing strengthens nationalism on a wide range.

Language is very much important in the progress of a country. In our country, we are going away from our national language. We prefer other mediums of language instead of our own. Due to this negligence towards our language, it is losing its vastness. Romanticism gives a solution to this problem as well. Imagination is the main concern of romanticism and through it, literature is produced. This literature brings new words and in this way, language gets strength which ultimately strengthens the nationalism. Because stronger the language is, the stronger the communication would be among the nations.

In our society, people are limited in their thoughts. They are not gifted with the liberty to think in any way. Social and religious limitations have built a wall against human imagination. In its reaction, such religious extremists are produced who regard suicide bombing a fair act. Romanticism plays its role here as well. It stresses on imagination. Through imagination, one can think and imagine whatever he wants. If there is imagination, there would be no pent up feelings and if there are no pent up feelings, there will be no anger and aggression about anything. And if there is no anger and disturbance, people will remain calm and work for the power, progress and prosperity of their country and these are the key points of nationalism.

Nationalism is developed in a country by new ideas. Romanticism is such a comprehensive idea which can elevate the nationalism of a country. It makes the mob of people a nation by awarding them with imagination and freedom. Freedom makes people independent and imagination gives them the ways to make progress in life. So romanticism makes a healthy nation which introduces a strong nationalism. In folding words, we can also make our country a developed one and can have such a nationalism which is devoid of all social and political demerits by following the principles of romanticism.

by:

Fraaz Mahmud fraaz

A Stranger Does the Best….

A Stranger Does the Best….

We commonly believe that a person can do a job best in which he is adept. We also confirm this concept blindly that a person who is stranger to some task, cannot even think of doing that. That is why, it is said:

“jis ka kaam usi ko saajhay, or karay to theenga baajay”

“Every one to his trade”

I personally suggest that we cannot stamp this maxim.

Sometimes, it happens, we commit such an act which may be understandable for others but not for us. Such types of acts are unintentional but accurate. And this accuracy does not need any expertness. Suppose we are sitting idly and throw a coin on the ground. It shows neither heads nor tails. Rather it stands still on the ground. Interestingly, that coin cannot be stood still afterwards even with a conscious effort. Another example leading to the justification of the caption is that sometimes we try to paint something and luckily we do the best. Others think that we are quite expert in painting but we know inwardly that we are not.

An expert can do a work, the way it should be done is correct. But a stranger cannot even touch a work which he has not done before is not a right idea as far as my thinking is concerned. I once flew a kite somehow in my childhood and believe me! I did not know the A.B.C of kite flying. But I snapped the string of my neighbor’s kite who was considered a kite-flier in the area. And when I was doing Masters in English, my friends at university planned to arrange a one-dish party and I was supposed to bring Chicken Karahi. For, I was living in a hostel, that is why, I had to do it myself. I asked about the recipe of chicken karahi from my mother on phone but could not get anything. But the task was assigned and I had to do that being a stranger to it. Anyhow, I did that, brought it to my friends and surprisingly they still say, “FRAAZ! That was not your effort, you brought it from some restaurant”.

So, being an alien to something does not mean that we cannot do that. Everything needs an initiative and once we initiate, we get used to it afterwards. In bottom words, never think that being a stranger you cannot perform a particular task because sometimes “ A Stranger Does the Best”

By:

Fraaz Mahmud fraaz

A Stranger Does the Best….

A Stranger Does the Best….

We commonly believe that a person can do a job best in which he is adept. We also confirm this concept blindly that a person who is stranger to some task, cannot even think of doing that. That is why, it is said:

“jis ka kaam usi ko saajhay, or karay to theenga baajay”

“Every one to his trade”

I personally suggest that we cannot stamp this maxim.

Sometimes, it happens, we commit such an act which may be understandable for others but not for us. Such types of acts are unintentional but accurate. And this accuracy does not need any expertness. Suppose we are sitting idly and throw a coin on the ground. It shows neither heads nor tails. Rather it stands still on the ground. Interestingly, that coin cannot be stood still afterwards even with a conscious effort. Another example leading to the justification of the caption is that sometimes we try to paint something and luckily we do the best. Others think that we are quite expert in painting but we know inwardly that we are not.

An expert can do a work, the way it should be done is correct. But a stranger cannot even touch a work which he has not done before is not a right idea as far as my thinking is concerned. I once flew a kite somehow in my childhood and believe me! I did not know the A.B.C of kite flying. But I snapped the string of my neighbor’s kite who was considered a kite-flier in the area. And when I was doing Masters in English, my friends at university planned to arrange a one-dish party and I was supposed to bring Chicken Karahi. For, I was living in a hostel, that is why, I had to do it myself. I asked about the recipe of chicken karahi from my mother on phone but could not get anything. But the task was assigned and I had to do that being a stranger to it. Anyhow, I did that, brought it to my friends and surprisingly they still say, “FRAAZ! That was not your effort, you brought it from some restaurant”.

So, being an alien to something does not mean that we cannot do that. Everything needs an initiative and once we initiate, we get used to it afterwards. In bottom words, never think that being a stranger you cannot perform a particular task because sometimes “ A Stranger Does the Best”

By:

Fraaz Mahmud fraaz

Late Night Packages…. A NONE ISSUE!

Late Night Packages…. A NONE ISSUE!

A package is always to facilitate the people. Whenever the people get frustrated, a package comes there to shut up their mouths. But the mobile companies have introduced the packages to open the sealed lips of the public. These are the packages, which offer quite nominal rates. People belonging to different sections of society, enjoy these packages because they are the only mediums, through which, they are free to speak. And the point is that these packages are under a cloud to be banned.

Our so-called politicians have made speeches to ban these packages. The reasons they have given are:

• These packages spoil people’s health.
• Students lose their interest in studies due to them.
• People don’t sleep well.
• Removing these packages would remove vice.

A short brainstorming is needed to reach the point where it would be clear that above mentioned reasons are not reasonable in a country in which we are living.

First of all, sorry to say, our well-wishers are looking only at the one side of the coin. They say that people are indulged in futile talks due to the packages. But there is a majority of the people as well who use these packages in a very effective way. A large number of people work at night shifts. They get benefits from these kinds of offers. Students being at distant places discuss their assignments and different tasks relating to the studies. People who work out of their cities freely talk to their relatives due to these packages.

Now let us talk about the reasons, our politicians have given. I literally respect our politicians that they think so much about us. They care for our health, sleep, social behaviour and character. But it is a humble question for the people who are at the helm of affairs. They say that these packages spoil our health. I respect and appreciate their concern. And yes! I accept that these packages spoil one’s health through harmful rays. But are they giving us an environment in which we can enjoy a good health. We are provided with sprayed vegetables, polluted water and air. Why don’t they raise this issue in the parliament? Moreover, the suicide bombing has removed the worth of health in our society. A healthy man who does not use late night package is killed in a suicide bomb attack. What does he get by remaining away from these packages?

Our worthy politicians accuse these packages of diverting the attention of the students from their studies. I admit again that these packages do divert their attention. They mostly use phones and do not pay proper heed to their studies. But there is not a common educational system in our country as well. Further students have realized the fact that they will remain jobless for a long time even after completing their education. And I think this realization spoils the interest of the students in studies more than any package.

Our dear leaders also think about our sleep. They opine that due to these packages, people especially youth does not sleep well. An urge to talk to their special one’s has made their nights restless. Again hats off to their ‘love’ for us. But the point is that by leaving late night talks, can we enjoy a sound sleep? Extreme and sudden shortfall of electricity has made our nights uneasy. Lying on bed and waiting for the arrival of the electricity is more restless situation than talking on phone. Our respectable politicians have raised one more point that a lot of vices are generated due to late night packages.

People discuss immoral things at night, which harms their mentality. They may be right in saying this but people’s mentality is not as worst as they think. Instead of this late night immoral mentality, if we have a look at the Punjabi movies and songs, extremely vulgar stage plays and Indian movies in our theatres and cinemas which are being promoted in our society, we shall come to know that these elements are far more filthy than talking late at night.

If we want to remove something from our society, first of all, we think about its alternative. But here the case is quite different. Our representatives are striving to snatch a notorious means of recreation without any substitution, which is a bitter need of the day as well. In our society where everything is costly, these cheap packages make us believe that yes! We can be entertained in an economical way. So being a Pakistani I appeal that please don’t seize this cheap source of recreation without any alternative.

By:

Fraaz Mahmud fraaz

LIFE IS WE....

LIFE is WE…

Life is enigma or an open document.

Subsist; we have to, without argument.

Ups and downs are the parts of life.

Centuries go futile, a moment becomes rife.

Dreams look sweet, realities are harsh.

We get penetrated, life is a marsh.

We keep on walking, path is age.

Soul is prisoner, breath is cage.

Neither bed of thorns nor bed of roses.

As we behave, the same life poses.

One thing is sure which is life’s key.

We are Life, life is “WE”.

By:

Fraaz Mahmud fraaz

A SILENT STATE....

A SILENT STATE…..

(Electric Shortfall)

Engraved in my mind some thoughts undulate.

Tales of the day, they quietly narrate.

Extreme frustration, show the faces all around.

They do outcry but where is sound?

It is a state like cemetery designed.

Workmen, tradesmen all have resigned.

Empty are the slogans, unfilled words.

Are they the leaders who come like birds?

Thoughts think, how can we fill this gap?

Perhaps one may dwell in nature’s lap.

By:

Fraaz Mahmud fraaz