Abstract :
Reconstruction of selfhood is a central theme of post-colonial writers. They strived hard to
decolonize their lost identity through creative works. They consider revival of selfhood an
elemental source for creative consciousness. It is a base for developing a pure creative
thinking. In fact, a desire for reshaping selfhood and identity gave birth to post-colonial
writings. Frantz Fanon emphasized on the need of complete rejection of colonial influence
in order to attain autonomous self. He lays this responsibility of reviving selfhood on writers
and most importantly on poets as they enjoy direct access to masses. Pakistani post-colonial
writers particularly poets also tried to revive their splendid self through their writings.
Taufiq Rafat coined “Pakistani idiom” to entitle a distinguished identity to Pakistani literary
world as well as its dazzling culture. He sublimed Pakistani culture through his influential
works. The present study also focuses on Taufiq Rafat‘s efforts to recover selfhood and a
distinguished creative expression through his seminal poem “REFLECTIONS”. The
analytical framework is borrowed from Fanon’s notion of reviving selfhood for autonomous
expression by rejecting the colonial influence and by meticulously concentrating on
indigenous culture. The close study of a poem ‘Reflections’ will highlight distinguished
Pakistani culture and identity. It will also open new vistas for young researchers to explore
in the area of selfhood and creative expression
Keyword :
selfhood, identity, reconstruction, creativity, decolonization