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December 7, 2003
Review: Symbolizing the downtrodden
ASAD Mohammad Khan, a short story writer, playwright and poet is a familiar name in the realm of Urdu literature, though he is yet to receive the acclaim he deserves. This has also been stated by Razia Fasih Ahmed, the famous novelist, story writer and poet in her recent interview with an Urdu paper.
Khan already has four books to his credit: Khidki Bhara Aasman (collection of poems and short stories published in 1982), Burj-i-Khamoshan, (collection of short stories, 1990), Rukee hoey Sawan, (collection of poems, 1997) and Ghusse Ki Nai Fasal (collection of short stories, 1997).
Narbada, his latest collection, consist of mainly short stories, a poem and the translation of “Mushk-i-Hiran” by Vilas Sarang of India.
Asad Mohammad Khan’s style was best summed up by Mohammad Salim ur Rehman, Editor, Savera (Lahore). Reviewing Ghusse Ki Nai Fasal in the Annual of Urdu Studies, he wrote: “It is nearly impossible not to enjoy Asad Mohammad Khan’s pyrotechnical fiction. Brilliant and effervescent in an effortless way, it makes an effective use of characters, situations, images and diction. The dialogue sparkles. He is a writer with a pronounced sense of drama. The stories unwind frame by frame with cinematic clarity.”
Having said this much about his style, let us turn to the themes of the stories in his book under review. His stories have relevance for both the Pakistani and Indian readership as they have been written against the backdrop of Pakistani and Indian cities and villages and have a lot to say to the readers across the boundaries. Asad Mohammad Khan has a rapport with the readers on both sides because of his knowledge of their shared history. Moreover, he relates to the Indian and Pakistani readers because he migrated to Karachi in 1950, at quite a mature age. Born in Bhopal in 1932, he had lived there for 18 years. He now lives in Karachi.
The very first story of the book, “Narbada”, has been written against an Indian background and depicts not only the divide in the Hindu society on the basis of caste and creed, but also between the Hindus and Muslims. In the present frenzy of religious extremism, both in India and Pakistan, communal riots and sectarian killings, terrorism and the ideology of the clash of civilization being promoted by vested interests on a global scale, “Narbada” has great relevance. The story ends with the message of human solidarity when the old Kunwar overcomes his conservative attitude and asks the boy born of a Hindu mother and a Muslim father, “Didn’t anyone teach you to say Bismillah before eating?”
“Raghuba”, “Tarikh-i-Farishta” and “Nadi aur Aadmi” are historical fictions. They are the stories of power hungry kings and their cronies — the Khiljies and the Suries — their brutalities and atrocities, which were inflicted on the common man. The author successfully creates a vivid picture of the era through his imagination. The kingdom did not last but it has been immortalized by the art which the skillful pen of the author has created.
“Ek dasht se guzarte huay” demands special attention. It is the symbolic story of downtrodden people who are fighting for their rights. They are the beacons of light in the wilderness of the desert — the struggle is not yet over and these stories are symbolic of that struggle. The underlying message is that when people (notably men) fail to play their self-assumed roles, and do not protect the souls under their charge (women), the latter become fighters and protect their honour and identity.
“Mushk-i-Hiran” is the translation of a Marathi story by Vilas Sarang. Not only this story but also the others written either against the backdrop of Pakistan or India remind me of the title of a book by late Ibrahim Jalees, Do Mulk Aik Kahani. They bear a pessimistic air. They are the stories of a rotten society, men and women who are victims of their fate, stories of corruption and exploitation by a parasitic society which sucks the blood of others to survive. They are the stories of a people who have no vision. They move around dragging their bodies without knowing that they are no more alive!
The poem, “Shahar aur main aur wo” captures the same atmosphere. To sum up, “Narbada” and “Aik dasht se guzarte huay” may be regarded the best stories in this collection, as they keep hope alive in the heart of humanity.
The book has a fine get up, is error-free and has an affordable price tag. It is a book worth having in one’s library.
Narbada Aur Dosri Kahanian
By Asad Mohammad Khan
City Press, 316 Madina City Mall, Abdullah Haroon Road, Karachi-74400. Tel: 021-5650623, 5213916
Email: cp@citypress.cc Website:
www.citypress.cc
ISBN 969-8379-61-4
272pp. Rs180
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