A Cultural Study of Akhtar Raza Saleemi’s Novel Lawakh

اختر رضا سلیمی کے ناول’’لواخ ‘‘کا تہذیبی مطالعہ

Abstract

Akhtar Raza Saleemi’s novel "Lawakh" is not merely a historical narrative but a vivid cultural portrayal of the Murree, Galiyat, and Hazara mountain communities. The novel deeply embeds local language, customs, beliefs, spiritual practices, and resistance ethos in its storyline. Indigenous words, idioms, and modes of expression enrich its cultural flavor. The title "Lawakh" itself is a symbol of cultural identity. The fire signal lit atop mountain peaks, often used to indicate war, evacuation, or victory. In this novel, it serves not only as a practical tool but as a metaphor for collective consciousness and cultural alertness. The tribal structure, respect for elders, Sufi mysticism, reverence for saints, and rural systems of justice are presented with authenticity. For instance, the transformation of Sikandar’s grandfather’s shrine into a “Markaz-e-Tajalliyat” reflects the centrality of spiritual leadership in local culture. The novel also captures the sorrow of a culture disrupted by colonialism and internal betrayal. The forgotten Lawakh fire, once a communal rallying cry, becomes a symbol of a lost civilization and faded heroism. It mourns the erosion of values that once defined identity and unity. Thus, Lawakh serves as a literary elegy for a cultural heritage threatened by history’s violent turns.