An Analysis of the Works of Notable Female Urdu Novelists - Concluding Part 3
By Dr. Afzal Misbahi, New Age Islam
Translated
into English by Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam
An Overview of Some Contemporary Female Novelists and Their Writings
Main Points
1.
Tarannum Riyaz's "Barf Aashna Parinde"
and "Moorti" both addressed the Kashmir issue in different
ways.
2.
The author used a variety of techniques, including
gestures, epithets, and other means to express the difficulties and suffering
of Kashmir.
3.
Jilani Bano's "Aiwan-e-Ghazal"
highlights Hyderabad and Gandhiji's civil disobedience
movement.
4.
Asha Prabhat's novel 'Jane Kitne Mod' is
a fusion of Urdu and Hindi, narrating the tale of a poor woman challenging the
standards of the upper class.
5. Khushnuda Nilofer's "Outer Lane"
and Nasreen Banu's "Ek Aur Kosi" are two recent works one of
which explores the challenges of taking competitive tests for government jobs.
------
‘Barf
Aashna Parinde’ by Tarannum Riyaz was published in 2009. Even if
Tarannum Riyaz is no longer with us, her works will continue to be cherished by
future generations. In contrast to "Moorti," "Barf
Ashna Parinde" has diverse themes. Both have, however, addressed the
Kashmir issue in various ways. While the main character of "Barf Ashna Parinde"
is mostly concerned with academic issues and the lives of professors and other
intellectuals connected to educational institutions, "Moorti"
highlights the issues that Kashmiri women must deal with. Though the subject
topic is not new, Tarannum Riyaz deserves appreciation for how well she
expressed it. Every reader is encouraged to study it just because of the beauty
of the name. When analysing the metaphorical connotations of "Barf
Ashna Parinde," several pictures come to mind, including the icy weather
of Kashmir and the birds trapped there, trembling in the cold while wishing to
soar to the skies. It is clear that Tarannum Riyaz used some exquisite language
in it. So see for example:
“Naram khu, haleem aur haseen kashmiriyon ki zameen, daanishwaron,
fankaaron ka khitta, resham w pasham, zaafraaon zaaron aur murghzaaron ki
sarzameen, pahadon, paaniyon aur waadiyon ka maskan, ye Kashmir, jannat be
nazeer, jiski paanch hazaar saal purani taareekh maujud hai, jiski misaal
shayad hi duniya me kahin mile”
Translation:
This Kashmir, the unmatched paradise, has a five-thousand-year history that is
unlike anything else in the world. It is home to gentle, meek, and
beautiful Kashmiris as well as intellectuals, artisans, and
artists, as well as producers of silk and saffron and the home of mountains,
rivers, and valleys.]
"Kashmir,
the centre of the oldest language and civilization, the Kashmir of the Rishis,
the Munis [sages], the Kashmir of Sheikh
al-Alam and Lalleshwari [also known
locally as Lal Ded], the Kashmir of the Buddha
Shakya Muni's prophecy, the Kashmir of Rishi Kashyap,
the Kashmir of Lalitaditya Muktapida and Suyya, Ashoka,
the Kashmir of Kalhana and Budshah,
the Kashmir of Habba Khatoon, the Kashmir of Arni
Mal and perhaps the chosen resting place of Moses and Jesus...” [Barf
Ashna Parinde]
Regarding
the passages mentioned above, Abid Suhail states:
“No
twists or screws. Everything seems to be in order. This area has been credited
for five thousand years with the beauty and craftsmanship of the seasons,
landscapes, meadows, lakes, valleys, and artistry. Each idea is distinct from
the others without rejecting them, and each is joyful and exuberant as well.
Every colour is the same and every scent is recognisable, forming a whole in
which nothing causes a letter to be cancelled. The people of Kashmir have been
shaped in this manner over a period of five thousand years. It encompasses
everything from the past, including its culture, religion and unanimity, as
well as all that has been ingrained in Kashmir's residents and is a part of
their nuances”. [Aiwaan-e-Urdu, Delhi, February 2014]
This
is the vast canvas on which memories spanning 5,000 years are depicted. These
recollections have been exquisitely conveyed in exquisite language. Even though
such recollections are now a part of history and have been entirely forgotten
in the Kashmir of the present, it is not apparent from the expression that
those memories are no longer a part of Kashmir today. The freezing waters of
the waterfalls carve trails between the stones and irrigate everyone as they
pass. This is the tale of the white valleys that fill the air with the aromas
of apricots, apples, walnuts, plums, and apricots. However, this Kashmir that
resembles paradise appears to have come under the evil eye of someone, as
sparks can be seen burning in some spots, and instead of cold water, there is
now a feeling of heat in the air from boiling water, which does not last
without heating the entire area.
The
author has conveyed to the world the hardships and sorrows that the people of
Kashmir have gone through since their freedom, at times using gestures and
epithets and other times using plain language. The characters that have
appeared in the form of Professor Danish and Professor Sameer Ghosh leave
behind many memories.
The
two major protagonists in this five hundred and fifty-page book are Sheeba and Kashmir.
Sheeba has the rest of her life and Kashmir has its future. Tarannum Riyaz is a
Kashmiri-born woman who is aware of the potential of playing both of these
roles. Both of the aforementioned novels by Tarannum Riyaz have a significant
place in novels of the twenty-first century, and writers and critics have given
it particular attention.
'Aiwan-e-Ghazal' by Jilani Bano was released in a revised edition
in 2012. The author says that this book, which was first published in 2003, is
filled with errors. As a result, while thinking about the 2012 version, I'm
daring to conduct an analytical examination. The terrible circumstances that
led to the partition of India and the collapse of Hyderabad are the main
subject of the book. Jilani Bano is one of the most well-known Urdu novelists.
In her book, she highlighted a variety of elements of the political and
cultural life of the society. Her writing typically depicts Hyderabad's
life. Gandhiji's civil disobedience movement is shown
throughout "Aiwan-e-Ghazal" from the opening to the sad
accident that caused the country to divide.
The
backdrop of the novel includes both the cultural story and the disintegrating
feudal order in Hyderabad. Here, Jilani Bano's maturity in social consciousness
and intensity of sentiment is on display. Jilani Bano has avoided letting her
feelings influence her writing. This is the main characteristic of her writing.
She described a degenerate system whose spokespeople included Ahmad Hussain and
Wahid Hussain, and who were also accountable for the system's collapse. In
assessing Jilani Bano's position within the canon of Urdu literature, Professor
Wahab Ashrafi states:
“How
many people have fallen and risen during the course of Urdu fiction? Some
people surprised everyone with their unfinished work. After five or ten
writings, some people changed their minds. Some people not only made an effort
to leave their mark on history, but as time passed, their literary image also
developed and was accentuated. There is no doubt that the history of Urdu
fiction would not be complete without them. Fiction writers are divided into
different groups. Some have made history the basis for their creativity, others
have made an effort to propagate Marxism, yet others have ties to rural areas,
and still, others feel it's important to develop a rapport with the challenges
of urban life. But in this situation, if such a bright line does appear, it is
not contained anywhere and illuminates as well as encompasses the various and
varied currents of existence. There are undoubtedly very few of these writers,
and Jilani Bano stands out among them all for her size”. [Jilani Bano ke
Takhliqi Jihaat, Shab Khoon, Wahab Ashrafi, p.21]
'Aiwan-e-Ghazal' captures the political shambles of Hyderabad and
the local state of emergency. Jilani Bano has personally witnessed the
traumatic sights of riots and bloodshed brought on by the partition of the
country. As a result, her work appears to be a reflection of reality. Aiwan-e-Ghazal is
a stunning example of how old and new styles can coexist. The book maps the
shifting environment in Hyderabad and the political and social activities of
the Deccan.
Reader
interest is maintained by the meticulous consideration given to the appeal of
the language as well as the events and people in the book. Jilani Bano's
collection of ghazals in "Aiwan-e-Ghazal"
was so beautifully embellished that the reader couldn't help but feel affected.
Some hearts have been compared to "goblets" in this association, and
some melancholy to "wine." When the subject is so delicate, why can't
writings become appealing?
'Jane Kitne Mod' by Asha Prabhat was published in 2009. She is an
innovative novelist who presents her skills in both Urdu and Hindi. Because of
this, her writing exhibits a lovely fusion of the two languages. The novel
narrates the tale of a poor woman who challenges the standards that the upper
class has set for herself. When she abides by these standards, society respects
her much, and when she breaks them, a member of her own blood family turns into
her worst adversary.
A
lady is pressured to control her feelings and emotions, but when she decides to
defy these rules and seek out a captain, who helped her in every aspect of
life, her life changes forever. In a very intriguing approach, the novel shows
how society may become a woman's opponent when she wishes to live in freedom.
This novel contains the story of a woman named "Lata"
who is forced to endure difficulties and trials constantly.
The
dignity of a woman has no significance in this society since it has become so
self-centred and selfish. She is bound to a man who is coerced and then forced
to do evil by a relative of hers only to preserve the peace and harmony of the
family. Instead, by doing this, they exhale a sigh of relief. However, this
woman lives her life in a suffocating manner at all times, and when the time
comes to make a final decision, she breaks off all ties and moves on. The work
highlights social flaws in this way that are detrimental to any civilised
community.
'Outram Lane' by Khushnuda Nilofer and Nasreen Banu's 'Ek
Aur Kosi' are two examples of recent works by emerging authors.
The novel "Outer Lane" depicts the challenges and complexities Delhi
residents encounter when taking competitive tests for government jobs. It
appears that Dr. Khushnuda Nilofer's issues at Outeram Lane have
been interestingly exposed to the readers. The readership of this book, which
was published in 2010, has grown since its release. 'Ek aur kosi' depicts
the lives of a woman whose spouse leaves for work overseas soon after they get
married. 'Ek Aur Kosi' was published in 2009.
‘Naya
Chauffeur’ by Naushaba Khatoon (2012), ‘Nadeeda Baharon Ke
Nishan’ by Shaista Fakhri (2013), ‘Aatish Daan’ by
Qamar Jamali (2014), ‘Sada-e-Andleeb Bar Shakh-e-Shab’ by
Shaista Fakhri (2014) and ‘Kadwa Sach’ by Farah Deeba (2015)
and others will be covered in another article. In the upcoming paper, these
books will be discussed and their analytical analysis will be offered, God
willing.
…
(Concluded)
Dr. Mohammad Afzal Hussain Misbahi, Assistant
Professor & Incharge of Urdu Section, MMV, Banaras Hindu University,
Varanasi, U.P.
Part One: An
Analysis of the Works of Notable Female Urdu Novelists – Part 1
Part Two: An
Analysis of the Works of Notable Female Urdu Novelists - Part 2
URL: https://newageislam.com/books-documents/notable-female-urdu-novelists-part-3/d/129834