The actual start of Progressive Movement began in 1936 but its influence was felt earlier in Sub-Continent. While in 1917 against Tsar’s Rule in Russia, Socialist revolutionaries infused an extra ordinary soul into the World in social, political and economic areas of life. Its waves began rising in the British colonized Sub-Continent. In the first International Conference of this movement, Sajjad Zaheer, famous name of this movement, represented Sub-Continent along with Raaj Anand. Both had a chance to have some time with Muhammad Din Taseer, founded the very movement in Sub-Continent and made efforts to gather fellow poets and writers in Britain.
Marxist ideas not only inspired general public and gave them a certain tool to raise voice against all authorities but also left imprints on specific division of literary society. Resultantly the torch bearers of this movement with the help of their pen fueled by thoughts bore cruelties of the influential strata of society. This movement surpassed Europe and many South American countries where masses were blood sucked by dictators and kings. When this movement came to Sub-Continent via Russia and China, the Indians and Muslims viewed it a tool to get rid of the British Colonial and Imperialism. But the then feudal lords feared its rays and allied the British to save their vested interests. The results can still be seen in India and Pakistan where lot of people is under the feudal lords.
Progressive Movement unearthed long lasting benefits by side-lining old and illogical norms, stagnancy of society, hypocrisy, social injustice and bigotry. People were suggested to think and act rationally. Duty of literature became to make people aware of their basic needs like food, dress and house and all should be available to everyone. It should be a voice against Human suppression, political slavery, and superstitions. Religious extremism should be nipped in the bud because it divides people and spreads hatred among them. After establishment of Pakistan, political ambitions and forces of suffocating publicly elected governments destroyed this realistic thought process due to which writers had to face extreme hostility of state-actors.
Munshi Prem Chand, noted Urdu novelist, made a tremendous speech in 1936 conference. His speech concluded that all parameters of social, political and economic judgment needed to be reviewed and reformed. The creative artists should be separate from feudals and be a voice of common people. Rabindranath Tagore emphasized human friendliness, humanity, religious harmony and independence. Sajjad Zaheer and certain other literary personalities were jailed in fight against capitalism and fascism.
Before Progressive Movement, Urdu Literature was under the staunch influence of Romanticism. Realism was promoted in Urdu by the same authors and poets. It changed thinking patterns of readers. Thus Urdu Realism added a lion’s share in changing direction of the Indian Muslims regarding Independence. Urdu Poetry underwent new subjects and themes of poems and brought realism parallel to romanticism. The above mentioned elements caused downfall of this movement and it couldn’t hold the center of literature.
