Very recently Dr.Sohan Koul published two Kashmiri novels titled Psychiatric ward and Talash Chu Jaeri. Both these books were a welcome addition as very less work has been done in the novel genre in Kashmiri language. Subsequently, ace translator Mushtaque Barq added flavour with his standard translation of the script. One welcome step taken by Sohan Koul is he has desisted from penning a book after looking through coloured prism of communal divide which has been major concern for post 90 literature in Kashmir.
First and foremost Psychiatric ward is not an enclosed area of fixed dimensions and housing patient beds ,nursing stations and other facilities of good or bad standard but represents, if not whole world, at least Kashmir valley. There is no doubt that over the years of turmoil number of psychiatric patients has increased , incidents of violence related to psychiatry has shown remarkable upward trend, and so has number of doctors and paramedical staff gone up. Even doctors have raised their bar with relation to better treatment of patients. Dr. Sohan Koul is seized of the situation and ,as such, has connected the threads to give ample space to newer developments . Novel is fiction work so some of the incidents have to be read in that context which otherwise may or may not happen or take place in a hospital that too a psychiatric one.
The main characters around whom the script revolves are Dr.Mushtaq, Dr. Naveed, Dr. Farah and nursing sister Saima .But to describe the who scenario few patients like mother, Shazia etc have been introduced at various intervals. But to my mind most important introduction is the new statements coined eg “The Frozen Time” , “This society belongs to hollow men “ , “Sorrow of disappearance “and the like. The Psychiatric ward runs the story of some patients who have gone through mental turmoil due to various reasons and on the other hand runs a romantic relation connected to Dr. Naveed, Dr Farah and sister Saima. The neurological disorder(NMD) of Dr Farah towards the end brings Dr Naveed and sister Saima closer thanks to analyzing the situation by Dr Farah herself. This is a dramatic turn of events and spreads like a celluloid scene as Farah hands over the custody of her husband and infant son into the safe hands of Saima.
The most disturbing statement about Psychiatric ward as mentioned above is the frozen time. The statement has caught the attention of medical professionals even in the US where Dr Mushtaq delivers a lecture about it .” ….Dr Mushtaq had not arrived yet .He had high hopes from this international conference since he had to present a study paper “The Frozen time” that the medical community throughout the world was eagerly anticipating. Time has nearly stopped for the entire Kashmir area in one manner or another. “ page 23/24.
“In any case ,the person who installed the wall clock would be able to mobilize their mental frozen time. But whatever was inside was concealed ,but outside the darkness was dense and the barking of dogs was apparent.”
Hasn’t anyone seen my children? Have they attended their classes? God knows. I have been imprisoned .God knows what the conditions at my home are and my husband might have arrived.” Page 16.
Dr Mushtaq was representing Kashmir and presenting his research report…….”My city residents must be asleep .It may be 11pm over there, but the patients in my ward ,on the other hand ,had to remain awake since time had been stopped at a point ,as if hanging above them.” ……….”and in 1990 ,a rainstorm like event disrupted everything ,which in turn gave birth to many stories that caused widespread sadness. The sorrow of disappearance became a common narrative , someone lost a husband, a brother or a son ,and even a mother or father , a region was lost to someone and someone lost his nation ,and thus everyone lost uniquely.”
Despite being applauded at the doctors conference Dr.Mushtaq loses interest on his return and takes a plunge into track 2 diplomacy. But as is a common narrative here ‘Kashmir history here is witness to destruction of reputation of many a big names.’ The author has conveniently moved his one of main characters to politics possibly to get the scene of murder of a top journalist in the similar scenario. In the meantime Dr Naveed, despite having soft corner for an agile nursing sister Saima, marries daughter of the top bureaucrat who, subsequently, becomes head of the institution.
Another character namely Shazia props up who ,it is revealed, is a gang rape victim and carries a fetus. Discussions take place whether she deserves to live and deliver also. Morality, social stigma, are argued upon.
“Mental illness has enveloped the entire Kashmir population.“ “How can she forget that she has lost two little sons.” And “Of course this is a catastrophe that has spread throughout Kashmir.” (page 67/68/69) are statements that reflect the pathetic state of psychogenic disorder.
Subsequently, an unusual decision is taken that Shazia shall be taken her home but accompanied by Dr.Naveed and other members. As feared Shazia seems an unwelcome guest ,at least it is perceived so ,what her father Nisar and others members react like. “However, you have no concept of how tough it is for a father of a daughter to live with the loss of his honour ……..”reflects the idea of father towards the ugly incident having destroyed Shazia’s life. After a short span of time Shazia takes her life .Blame of relapse of patient is thrown at the mental hospital .
Psychiatric ward ,overall, is the pathetic story of Kashmir where conflict has its impact over the lives of common people . It is a commentary over the poor state of medical facilities (in particular psychiatry ) and it is a severe blow over the primitive reaction to the people’s mindset who blame womenfolk for everything .And instead of supporting such victims ridicule them and are on the forefront to humiliate the fairer sex.
While Psychiatric ward is a valiant effort by Dr.Sohan Koul to expose chinks in the Kashmir society, it is a valuable addition to the genre in Kashmiri. Equally Mushtaq Barq has done justice to translation. But despite being a good effort by both author and translator some lacunae are recorded hereunder. The book has not been chaptered which gives the impression as if a single para is being read. At places like page 39 (L21), 41(L28), 47(L21), 91(L11), minor mistakes need to be taken care of. Similarly, at 52(L29) it should be Wanwun instead of Rouf.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Shafi Ahmad Wani is is Kashmir based columnist and can be mailed at wanishafi999@gmail.com