It was a pleasant surprise for me when one fine day my friend, Haqqani Al Qasmi, editor, “Andaz-e-Bayan Aur” gave me the second issue of his journal, which is based on the creative works of the policemen who served mostly on a senior level in the government in different capacities . They are mostly IPS rank officers. It startled me a lot that how Haqqani Sahib could think of an offbeat topic for his magazine. But it very much goes with his nature. He is one of the most talented, versatile and genuine young critics of Urdu literature, who should be in any university as a Professor. But the sad part is he has no any regular job till now, though, many mediocre are holding such posts boastfully. Anyway, this is the irony of our time.
Now, I come to this special issue. It was not easy to collect materials on this unique topic. But he not only did so, but have done it successfully.
This volume consists of around 450 pages. And the diversity of the topic and authors also attract huge admiration.
I don’t know much about the policemen, except, the news from the newspapers, where good and bad stories appear about them on almost daily basis. In fact, crime and police related stories cover a major part of any newspaper these days. It also shows that how humans are more prone to violence and atrocities than anything else. And, how policemen attract more scorn than praise from the general public. And everyone knows what is the reason behind it.
But, it is also a bare fact that many among them are nice, sober, humane, and most of all, creative.
My association with any policemen was never strong as a friend, except, a few one, like the famous writer, Paigham Afaqui. It is my luck that I had worked some time with him on a project related with a television channel, Falak, which could never take off the ground due to immature planning of its conceptualizers and investors. However, I had given my six precious months as a scriptwriter where I had conceptualised and written many daily soaps and serials. The interesting thing was that Paigham Sahib always looked very enthusiastic and eager to see it fructifying, though it could never get ripe despite of our putting the best possible efforts. Finally, as the channel work ended, our frequent meeting also changed into infrequent one. And ultimately, we stopped meeting.
But in those adventurous days, I could see him closely and feel him minutely. He was a hardcore creative and passionate person about literature than a good policeman. His interest was much more in creative work than his own policing assignment, which, ultimately, resulted in many of his creative works, like MAKAN, an acclaimed novel. He wrote another novels which I couldn’t read. His short stories also appeared in an anthology form, titled, MAFIA. He also penned poetries and articles. But he is best known for his first novel, MAKAN, loosely translated as A HOUSE. It is the role of the critics to judge him as a novelist, short story writer and poet finally that what level he commands in the field of Urdu literature.
I also hope that now the critics and readers will put their views about him in impartial way because he no longer holds any post and doesn’t exist physically, either. We know that people opine their views about anyone seeing their power and position. Many have proclaimed themselves as a writer and critic openly and unabashedly though they don’t deserve such respect at all.
This issue has covered many well known other names like Ain Rasheed, Khalil Mamoon, Shuja Khawar and Vibhuti Narayan Roy. There are some other lesser known names also.
Vibhuti Narayan’s novels have also gained huge admiration from the general public for his bold views on the acrimonious communal hatred in the country. We are aware of the fact that in all such hate violence against Muslims, the role of police and local administration has always been found partial and dubious.
Finally, I hope this issue will also be well received as it was earlier one.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Mohammad Aleem is a well-known novelist, playwright, scriptwriter and journalist.
