تصوير جائحة كوفيد-19 في الشعر الأردي (الباكستاني): بين الواقعية والرمزية (دراسة فنية وأدبية)

Abstract

This article explores how Urdu (Pakistani) poets captured the COVID-19 pandemic through a blend of realism and symbolism, highlighting the artistic techniques they employed to reflect the global crisis. Titled "COVID-19 in Urdu Poetry: Between Realism and Symbolism (A Study of Artistic Techniques Used in Portraying the Pandemic)", the study examines how poets documented the daily realities of the pandemic—such as isolation, fear, and loss—while also using symbolic imagery, like storms and darkness, to convey deeper emotional and existential themes.

The analysis focuses on key artistic approaches, including realism[i], which vividly portrays life during the pandemic, and symbolism,[ii] where nature and the human body serve as metaphors for vulnerability and resilience. Poets also utilized narrative techniques to tell personal stories, linguistic deviations such as metaphors and repetition to amplify emotional impact, and formal experimentation to mirror the chaos and uncertainty of the crisis.

Additionally, the article explores how Urdu poetry addressed the psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of the pandemic, from themes of isolation and existential anxiety to critiques of government responses and reflections on human solidarity. By combining these techniques, Urdu poets created a multifaceted portrayal of the pandemic, offering both a historical record and a profound artistic response to one of the most challenging periods in modern history. This study underscores the power of poetry to transform global crises into meaningful, resonant art, reflecting the human experience in the face of unprecedented challenges.