Khushal Stanisai

I was born on June 23, 1941, in Afghanistan, and my love for poetry blossomed early. By age 17, while still in the 10th grade, I witnessed the publication of the first book on Landay poetry, featuring translations by Mr. Abdul Rauf Benawa. This poetic form has held a special place in my heart. My passion for literature deepened further in the 11th grade, when I began reading novels and writing my own stories. That same year, I published a short story that attracted the attention of a Chinese literature delegation visiting Kabul University. They selected my story for translation into Chinese, a task completed with the support of Professor Tagai. Although I paused my literary pursuits upon entering medical school, my connection to Pashto Landay never faded. Throughout my life, I’ve looked forward to resuming my writing, which has now culminated in the book Landay, a reflection of my lifelong love for this Afghan poetic tradition.