A Comparative Study Of Poetic Aesthetics In The Prose Works Of Colonel Muhammad Khan And Mushtaq Ahmad Yousufi

Abstract

This research article presents a comparative study of the poetic aesthetics in the prose of Colonel Muhammad Khan and Mushtaq Ahmad Yousufi, two of the most distinguished humorists and prose writers in Urdu literature. Although both writers are primarily recognized for their humorous and satirical prose, their writings exhibit remarkable poetic sensibility, aesthetic refinement, and lyrical expression. The study explores how poetic elements such as imagery, symbolism, rhythm, metaphor, allusion, emotional intensity, and musicality enrich their prose and elevate it beyond conventional humorous writing.Using a qualitative and comparative research methodology based on textual analysis, the article examines selected works of both authors to identify the similarities and differences in their artistic techniques and aesthetic vision. Colonel Muhammad Khan's prose reflects simplicity, spontaneity, and an organic poetic charm rooted in everyday experiences, military life, and human emotions. In contrast, Mushtaq Ahmad Yousufi's prose demonstrates intellectual sophistication, linguistic richness, intertextuality, and a highly refined poetic texture that integrates classical and modern literary traditions. The study argues that despite differences in style, diction, and narrative strategies, both writers successfully transform prose into an aesthetically engaging literary form by incorporating poetic devices and imaginative expression.