Self-Torture In The Ghazals of Ikram Ullah Gran

Abstract

This study explores the theme of self-torture as a central psychological and aesthetic motif in the poetry of Ikram Ullah Gran, a prominent Pashto poet known for his emotional depth and social commitment. While much of Gran’s work has been analyzed in terms of its themes of philanthropy, peace, and social justice, less attention has been paid to the darker internal dynamics that shape his poetic subjectivity. This research aims to fill that gap by investigating how Gran articulates inner suffering, guilt, alienation, and existential struggle as forms of self-inflicted pain, whether emotional, spiritual, or moral.