August 22, 2004

When in 1997 the first book of J.K. Rowling’s now famous Harry Potter series was published, it captured the attention of children around the world. The publication of the second and third books of the series broke all sales records. Children eagerly awaited the next book. One may wonder as to what is so unique in the story of a wizard boy and his life at the school of wizardry and witchcraft. But the stories are really so engrossing that, kids aside, even adults find it difficult to put down the book before finishing it.

The popularity of the series inspired translations in other languages as well to enable children who are not familiar with English to enjoy the stories. The credit of translation in Urdu goes to Darakhshanda Asghar Khokhar who undertook the task after noticing the deep interest of her granddaughter in the first book. After the success of the first two translations, the third in the series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, has also been published.

The story finds Harry Potter in his third year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is rumoured that Sirius Black, the most devoted follower of Lord Voldemort and the most dangerous prisoner of the most dreadful prison in the wizarding world, has escaped and is looking for Harry. Dementors — the soul-sucking guards from the Azkaban prison — prowl the school grounds day and night. Harry learns some startling facts about his parents and the circumstances in which they were killed. With Professor Lupin’s help he learns how to cope with Dementors; and the secret of Sirius Black.

This book has so many strange creatures and people, astonishing secrets, twists and turns, that you can never predict what will happen next.

Whether intentional or not, the publication of the Urdu translation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban at almost the same time as the release of the movie of the same instalment would also enable non-English speaking children to enjoy the movie even more if they have read the book.

Harry Potter aur Azkaban ka Qaidi
By J.K. Rowling
Translated by Darakhshanda Asghar Khokhar
Oxford University Press, Plot # 38, Sector 15, Korangi Industrial Area, Karachi
Tel: 111-693-673
Email: ouppak@theoffice.net
Website: www.oup.com.pk
ISBN 0-19-579915-1
391pp. Rs325

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