KITCHENS By Taufiq Rafat

TAUFIQ RAFAT:

Taufiq Rafat (1927-1998) was a pioneer literary figure of Pakistan that had contributed a lot in English literature. He has left his influence on many other famous writers. Taufiq is considered to be a pioneer figure in the field of English poetry that emerges from Pakistan. His poetry reflects emotions and sensibilities of Pakistani society. Moreover he had contributed a lot through his writings representing the true culture and tradition of Pakistani society.

KITCHENS BY TAUFIQ RAFAT:

"Kitchens" is considered to be a marvelous work that has emerged from the pen of Taufiq Rafat. By a beautiful and artistic depiction of Kitchens, Rafat has bitterly criticized the social life and culture of modern civilization or city life. With the use of poetic brilliance he has explicitly criticized the modernity that has prevailed in Pakistan society.

• URBAN VS RURAL LIFE:

The basic rationale of this work is to lament the hollowness or emptiness of urban life. According to him the urban life is full of frustrations having no peace of mind and intimacy. Moreover he has also realistically portrayed the kitchen culture of rural areas of Pakistan in order to highlight the beauty and calmness of village life.

“From December beds we hurried to the cheer of wood-fires”

Mostly rural kitchens are very much wide and spacious where families sit together to discuss variety of issues and to get warmth. So the kitchen had served to be a lich pin in the foundation of family bond.

“Discussions centered on primaries: births, death, marriages, crop”

This exchange of opinions and discourse is a very productive and fruitful activity.

“Mothers presided contributing only her presence”

Here we will find poet’s keen understanding of Pakistani rural culture where females or mothers are the in charge of all the social gatherings in kitchens. Instead of doing some kitchen’s chores she contributes in the chit chat also.

In another section of the poem the author criticizes the city or modern civilization of our society. In this part we have a very relatable description of culture of modern and city life, where people are busy, depressed and materialistic living a monotonous life.

“Now in these cramped spaces there is no time for talk”

• CHAIRS VS SLAT:

Here Taufiq has unraveled an important philosophy. Upon comparison of chair and slat he has criticized the modernity of our society with the description of modern culture associated with cities.

“Chairs are insular;

They do not encourage

Intimacy like slats”

Here! The discussion proceeds and poet goes one step ahead in its depiction of modern culture of city life.

“Everything is clean as a hospital”

The above quote represents a striking use of irony that concludes that modern culture or civilization lacks emotional comfort, spirituality, family intimacy and honesty.

 We will find an important analogy which is worth discussing. In the same manner T.S ELIOT has also criticized the hollowness of city life in his prolific work “The Waste Land”

“Unreal city”

“Under the brown fog of winter dawn”

 We will find similarity in the themes of both the poets where they are criticizing modernity and modern life style.

Eliot has also criticized the city life but his perspective is bit different to that of Taufiq Rafat. He has depicted a modern social setup having evils of moral corruption and sexual exploitation.

“The river sweats 

Oil and tar”

“I made no comment. What shout

I resent?

On Margate sands”

CONCLUSION:

Through the above analysis it is concluded that Taufiq Rafat portrayed Pakistani society and Pakistani culture in his poem "Kitchens" very objectively. He did this job in a way that it seems true depiction of the whole society.