HUMOUR AND SATIRE IN PROSE AND POETRY OF COL MUHAMMAD KHALID KHAN BY: AIZAZ KHAN YOUSAFZAI SOURCE: www.mehrpoetry.com

1. HUMOUR AND
SATIRE IN PROSE
AND POETRY OF
COL MUHAMMAD
KHALID KHAN

2. “IN THE OF NAME ALLAH , THE MOST
BENEFICENT AND THE MOST MERCIFUL”

3.  INTRODUCTION
 CRITICAL ANALYSIS IN GENERAL
 CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF KHAKI LIFAFA
 CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF “ANNAP SHANAP”
 CONCLUSION

4. INTRODUCTION
Col Muhammad Khalid Khan Mehr’s comic prose and poetry, comedy
and satire are the reflection on the disorderly condition of human life. It
is the criticism on the darker side of life which is free from personal
prejudices and converts the ugliness of society into beauty. It is the big
tragedy of life that due to bitterness of facts and unevenness of
environment, human being is facing pains and troubles on every step of
life. Comedy and satire are the positive side of the human nature due to
which bitterness of life and facts of tense environment can become
bearable. This is human nature’s marry making which is helpful in
reducing the seriousness of the trials and tribulations in life. Comedy is
the mental state and satire is the practical declaration.

5. According to Mark Twain, in poverty, humour has no doubt
very effective weapon which brings smile or laughter to
him. Wealth, instigation, request and civilization all these
ways can weaken the silly and foolishness to great extent.
But smile is such a weapon which can destroy all these evils
into parts. The writer is related to such an occupation in
which pains, tensions and troubles are there. In such a
situation a healer is needed who spreads smile on the lips
of youngsters with help of which they can cross barriers
with smiling face.

6. Mehr has selected comedy and satire for the happiness of
his youngsters because he considers it as simple weapon.
Besides it, he is also aware of the saying of Holy Prophet
(S.A.W) that smile is the best gift for one Muslim to
another. Col Khalid is basically the student of English
literature, that is why his comedy has not only the colour of
East but also of West. Human pains are same in almost
every nook and corner of the world. Buddha has said that
this world is full of pains. That’s why to cure the pain of
people is like worship and sacrifice.

7. Jonathan Swift has said that comedy and satire are just like a
mirror in which a person sees not only his own face but also of
others. That’s why comedy and satire are appreciated. In Urdu
literature, the writers of comedy and satire are very few,
because this is very difficult art. In fact comedy is that in which
the writer points out surpluses and troubles in surrounding events
through feelings, observations, and experiences in a light mood.
Johnson calls comedy a poem, the purpose of which is to
capture the mistakes while Dryden and Dafoe’s theory is that of
reformer. One of the big purposes among the purpose of
comedy is the correction of mischief or wickedness.

8. CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF KHAKI LIFAFA
In society, comedy and satire can grow at time when the people or
individuals of the society have certain conflicts with one another, due
to which there is a state of chaos or confusion.
Col Khalid Khan Mehr has presented Urdu, English, and Hindko poetry
in a very light and comic way. Keeping in view the literary devices for
poetry, his book “Khaki Lifafa” is one of his best prose writing because
it is unbiased and his purpose of comedy is to bring information rather
targeting any person. “Khaki Lifafa” is Colonel’s best effort because
most of his life he has been in Army, so he depicts army specifically
and common life in general. He has discussed or presented all the
aspects of life in a very comic way being self –critical as well. People
who hide their hateful faces are shown to them by poet in this age of
selfishness. It works like a torch bearer as we see thorns with flowers.

9. The writer has tried his best to show the changing disguise of today’s
man, sometimes in the shape of a juggler and sometimes a courtier
who are looking busy, making flattery but like donkeys carrying their
own and others burden leave the world. It is not desirable to take
leave in army as well as in civil institutions. Although the leave is
requested as a compulsion. A fabulous example of this is the “Leave
Register.” “Shararati Baba” is a work having a moral lesson.
“Khaki Lifafa” puts light on different aspects of life in a light mood.
The life of common man is full of mischief, cleverness and hypocrisy
that has been with humans for long been and will remain forever.

10. “Khaki Lifafa” being brown in colour is still shining.
The reading of this book clarifies the difference
between good and bad. It depicts the success of
human life. God has also sent His book for the
guidance of humanity. “Khaki Lifafa” is not only a
comedy but also guides its readers and presents the
seriousness of life as well. If reading this book
makes you smile for a moment, it will be considered
a great success of this book.

11. CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ANNAP SHANAP
Col Khalid’s humorous poetry book “Annap Shanap” paved way
for him to be included in the last five hundred years humorists
by a well known poet, researcher and scholar, Dr. Inam Ul Haq
Javed. The book is dedicated to the soldiers of Pakistan Army,
who know how to smile under adverse conditions.
According to Dr. Inam Ul Haq Javed, Col Khalid Khan is new
addition in the community of humorists. He will definitely be
welcomed by the humorists in particular and by the public in
general.

12. The poetry of the poet was being published in very
many magazines and I had been reading it, but now
seeing all his poetic efforts in the book form, I am
astonished to see that with slow pace he has become
regular member of community of humorists.
According to Altaf Qamar every man is fighting a
war on his own battle front. But in this battle any
weapon can be used.

13. The poet is also a warrior who initiates battle against
narrow mindedness of the society and other social
evils. Poetry is a weapon of a poet which he uses in his
own style.

14. CONCLUSION
Col Khalid has uncovered the
unevenness of society in his own distinct
style. His observation is keen,
experience is vast and his writing is
fascinating. He talks about the evils of
society in light and straight forward
manner so who so ever reads it a smile
comes on his face

15. THANK YOU