KARACHI: “Jalta Hua Jungle” is the title of the novelette presented by Dr Ahmad Yusuf (from India) at a meeting held under the aegis of Fiction Group and hosted by A. Khayyam on Saturday.

With Dr Hanif Fauq in the chair, the writer took about 40 minutes to recite the literary piece, to some a long short story , patiently listened to by a receptive audience.

The novelette symbolically presented the South Asian scene and the Muslim socio-political history spread over the period when the process of decay set in, i.e., the 18th century and onward.

An old palatial house with walls eroded from within symbolises the decline of Muslim political power; the leaders are unable to fully grasp the changing conditions and losing their control over the masses. There are conspiracies and the youngmen expected to hold the rein of leadership are fighting amongst each other. A curtain wall raised to cover the old decaying wall and carrying a jungle-scene soon catches fire. So it is ‘Jalta Hua Jungle’.

Among those who offered their comments on the novelette included Saba Ikram, Mohammad Raza Kazmi, Ali Haider Malik, Qaiser Salim and Shamim Mazar.

Dr Hanif Fauq liked the piece but pointed out that there was no ray of hope in it. He wondered why Dr Ahmad, being a progressive writer, had failed to inject a ray of optimism in it.

The writer smiled and kept his cool. Earlier, he talked briefly about the contents of the novelette. In reply to a question, he said that he had taken two and half years to complete it. He was praised for his masterly treatment of the theme. —Hasan Abidi