And by the way everything is writable in the life if you have outgoing guts to do it [Sylvia Plath ]
Kashmir to Karachi, a self narrative book of Nighat Hafiz. Nighat Hafiz is a well known columnist who writers for many newspapers magazines and local dailies. she has taught psychology in various degree colleges for more than 35 years. the first chapter of the book opens with the quote of Rumi, “in your light, i learn how to love. in your beauty, how to make poems. you dance inside my chest where no one sees you,but sometimes i do, and the sight becomes this art”. Nighat starts her jourrney with following words “ imprints of my life were shaped in the deep woods of chitternar [a village located in bandipora district] living on scenic beauties of nature was good as living on the moon drops from the heaven the forest would pamper me sooth me and nourish me”. the reader can easily detect the writers senstivity on small things. the writer looks a master story teller, her book is testimony to it, where the writer touches every sphere of life .she has a lucid style of writing with ability to engage the readers throughout the book which creates an image for the reader to revisit his past. spontaneously, the book also talks about the socio political changes of world in general and of Kashmir in particular.
The writer artistically creates an image of past of Kashmir that was known for its beauty, austerity and hospility across the globle where spring used to bloom with the message of rejuvenation and resurrection of life where flowers flourished with charm and birds chirp with love and joy . unfortutnately the entire picture has changed drastically, now the of dawn spring breaks with sound of gun shots and sets with the dead bodies drenched in blood .
The well writer Z G mohammad writes about the book,” the book holds a different style of self narrative for oral history written on paper to authenticate . the book carries a fascinating perception of experience ,store in the depth , retrieving experience and linking it with the present as a comparative phenomenon,which has made it particularly interesting , author has tried to avoid philosphical heights in the book that with the time became part of her expression”.
The writer is the magnum opus gives a glimpse of history of Kashmir, its culture, heritage and at the same time the book throws light on many social issues of Kashmir like gender discrimination, dowry system, extravagancy in marriages. she did not miss any opportunity to malign hypocrisy and abhor all the social evils which create barriers for development of the valley. the author like a master re-counter narrates many events of her childhood. simply put Kashmir to Karachi in self narrative genre does not justify to this text which has also numerous facets to it , the writer not only talked about the psychology of life but also philosophy of life. it is a must read paritcularily for every kashmiri. the book exerts potent fascination and embodies important lessons of truth. the writer also narrates many issues which not only ramshackles kashmiris image but also deteriorates its cultural legacy that people were supposed to transmit and preserve it for new generations as the writer mentioned , 2 or 3 decades ago the story telling was the only source of entertainment which can found no where now. writing is the externalization of thinking, it is attempt to make manifest available to others the internal conversation going on inside our heads consequently, exceptional writing is fundamentally the product of exceptional thinking ,systematic and clear. to convey thoughts on paper and write in convincing engaging and plausible ways, philosophy is the paramount of cultivating the power of thinking critically and therefore write effectively while going through Kashmir to Karachi reader will feel same in the book. Her choice of words is captivating and possess power of persuasion they encompasses a powerful magnetic effect that won’t you let exit unless going thoroughly and painstakingly through the book. this book is a compendium of human philosophy and human behavior by reflecting deeply on human beings engage with one another that people have natural ability to create unity amidst diversity which has important implications in the arena of politics and civic society.
This book centered on a convolutes of memory and reminiscence with the light shades of Kahlil Gibran and Paulo Coelho writings and thoughts with great use of literary devices. While going through the reader can feel this beautiful life journey which starts from a blessed land of Kashmir to Karachi. I would like to conclude with Authors,” own quote love has all the medicinal value for an ailing society ailing ailing society”.
ABOUT REVIEWER
Muntazir Hafiz can be reached at muntazirhafiz@gmail.com