Gul Mohamad Zhowandai گل محمد ژوندی (1905–1988) son of Khair Mohamad khan popalzai خیر محمد خان پوپلزی was born in

Kabul Kabul is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. Located in the eastern half of the country, it is also a municipality, forming part of the Kabul Province. The city is divided for administration into #Districts, 22 municipal districts. A ...

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the Durand Line, east and south, Iran to the Afghanistan–Iran borde ...

."Gul Mohamad Zhowandai" in

Ludwig W. Adamec Ludwig W. Adamec (10 March 1924 – 1 January 2019) was an Austrian scholar on the Middle East and Afghanistan. He was a professor emeritus in the School of Middle East and North African Studies at the University of Arizona.

. 2003. ''Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan.'' Lanham: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 2003. Gul Mohamad Zhowandai is renowned for his captivating short stories, novels, and poetry, as well as his role as an editor for several Afghan daily newspapers, including ''

Islah Islah or Al-Islah (الإصلاح ,إصلاح, ') is an Arabic word, usually translated as "reform", in the sense of "to improve, to better, to put something into a better position, correction, correcting something and removing vice, reworking, ...

'' and '' Anīs''. Zhowandai's unique style of writing, which skillfully incorporated magical enchantments, Afghan folktales, and traditions, has left an indelible mark on the literary landscape of

. Mr. Zhowandai grew up immersed in the rich tapestry of

Afghan culture The culture of Afghanistan has persisted for centuries and encompasses the cultural diversity of the nation. Afghanistan's culture is historically strongly connected to nearby Persia, including the same religion, as the people of both countries ...

, folklore, and traditions. These influences became the foundation of his literary works, which would go on to captivate readers across the nation. During his career as an editor for Afghan newspapers, Zhowandai recognized the power of storytelling in preserving and celebrating the Afghan identity. He dedicated himself to publishing short stories and articles that embraced the enchanting world of Afghan folktales and traditions. These stories were initially published daily in Afghan newspapers, capturing the imagination of readers and setting a new standard for

Afghan literature Afghan literature or literature of Afghanistan refers to the literature produced in modern-day Afghanistan. Influenced by Central Asia, Central and South Asian literature, it is predominantly written in the two official languages of Afghanistan ...

and story telling. Zhowandai's writing style is characterized by its ability to transport readers into a realm where reality and enchantment intertwine. His stories often feature mythical creatures, magical elements, and larger-than-life characters inspired by Afghan folklore. By seamlessly blending these elements with the everyday experiences of the Afghan people, Zhowandai created a literary style that was both evocative and relatable.An Encyclopedia of Persian Literature in Afghanistan Vol. 3 (Tehran, 1999) His works not only entertained readers but also served as a means of preserving and promoting Afghan heritage. By incorporating traditional storytelling techniques and themes into contemporary narratives, Zhowandai revitalized interest in Afghan folktales and traditions, ensuring their longevity among future generations. Zhowandai's influence on Afghan literature cannot be overstated. His works became a source of inspiration for many aspiring Afghan writers, who followed in his footsteps to explore the rich cultural heritage of Afghanistan through their own writings. His style set a precedent for incorporating magical enchantments and Afghan folktales into contemporary literature, shaping the direction of Afghan storytelling for years to come. Throughout his career, Zhowandai received numerous accolades and recognition for his contributions to literature. His writings continue to be celebrated for their ability to transport readers to a world where reality and imagination coexist harmoniously. Gul Mohammad Zhowandai remains a prominent figure in Afghan literature, leaving a lasting legacy as a short story writer, editor, and advocate for preserving the enchanting folklore and traditions of Afghanistan. A

poet A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet may simply be the creator (thought, thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems (oral t ...

and writer, his publications were

novel A novel is an extended work of narrative fiction usually written in prose and published as a book. The word derives from the for 'new', 'news', or 'short story (of something new)', itself from the , a singular noun use of the neuter plural of ...

s written in

Persian Persian may refer to: * People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language ** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples ** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...

, and several volumes of inspirational verse. He was editor of Islah and Anis Publications in 1950s. He was 83 years old when he died. His published works include: *''Ferroz'' — short stories (Kabul, Afghanistan) *''Ahrezo ah ye per ahshoob'' — short stories (Kabul, Afghanistan: Islla Publications) *''Kachkol'' — novel (Kabul, Afghanistan) *''Collection of Poems'' (Kabul, Afghanistan: Islla, Anis) In Timeri Murari's novel ''The Taliban Cricket Club'' the narrator described Gul as ''"our most celebrated poet and writer."''

Sources

*''Modern Fiction In Afghanistan'' (Taraneh Publication) *''An Encyclopedia of Persian Literature in Afghanistan'' Vol. 3 (Tehran, 1999) *''Mahseerin Sukhanwar'' (Kabul, Afghanistan) *''Islah daily Newspaper 1935-1947'' Library of Congress scanned Afghanistan printed materials

References

External links

* 1905 births Writers from Kabul 1988 deaths Afghan male short story writers 20th-century Afghan poets Afghan novelists 20th-century novelists 20th-century short story writers 20th-century male writers 20th-century Afghan writers {{Afghanistan-bio-stub