A Comparative Study of the Image of Homeland in the Poetry of Haji Qadir Kuyi and Malek o-Sho'ara Bahar

Abstract

The concept of homeland is one of the central themes in Persian literature, particularly in the poetry of the Constitutional Era, where it gained new significance amid Iran's social and political transformations. In classical Persian poetry, homeland typically referred to a birthplace or a ruler's territory, lacking a deep connection to national identity. With the advent of the Constitutional Movement and the emergence of modern concepts of nation and nationalism, homeland evolved into a land defined by shared ethnic, linguistic, and cultural bonds, as reflected in the works of poets such as Malek al-Sho'ara Bahar and Hajj Qadir Kuyi. 

This study, employing a descriptive-analytical approach, conducts a comparative analysis of the evolution of the homeland concept and its role in fostering nationalism in the poetry of Hajj Qadir Kuyi and Mohammad Taqi Bahar. It demonstrates how poetry became a tool for resistance and the preservation of national identity. Bahar, drawing on ancient literary traditions such as the Shahnameh and using passionate language, expresses love for the homeland and concern over threats against it, portraying the homeland as a sacred beloved. Similarly, Hajj Qadir Kuyi, as a Kurdish poet, showcases his commitment to preserving the national and religious identity of Kurds by describing the natural beauties of the homeland and warning against foreign invasions.