M L Bhat
Name of the Book : Aakhri Khwaahish
(The Last Wish)
Author : Talib Kashmiri
( I. K. Koul )
Published by : Sheen Enterprises,
Gurgaon (Haryana)
Price : Rs. 250/- (Paperback)
: Rs. 300/- (Hardbound)
Urdu language has produced a battery of literary luminaries in J&K like someother states in India, who have excelled in their respective fields of activity like poetry, short story writing, teaching, literary analysis and criticism etc. However, when it comes to Novel writing this field of fiction writing in Urdu has not received much attention although there are several writers in this area like late RamanandSagar, Sofi Mohi-ul-Din, JanMohd. Azad, Maalik Ram Anand, Abdul Ghani Sheikh, Kashmiri Lal Zakir, Noor Shah, PushkarNathTickoo, Vijay Suri, Farooq Shah Renzu, Anand Lahar,Hamidi Kashmiri,Narsingh Das Nargis, Thakur Poonchi, VedRahi, Tej Bahadur Bhan, Wahshi Syed Sahil, QudratUllahShuhab and several others who have brought laurels to the State by their excellent creative presentations. There will be perhaps no ambiguity if theirs’ are categorized as masterpieces holding an all time relevance. Talib Kashmiri who has already made a mark in Urdu short story writing at state, national and international levels has of late come up with his Urdu novel titled “AakhriKhwaahish.”
While in his short stories published earlier or even now he has dwelt on diverse subjects, the book being discussed right at the moment concerns just one or two issues. The first issue seems apparently an insignificant but in reality a very sensitive and relatively more important one having on one hand a bearing on the life of an average youth hailing from the beleagueredcommunity of Kashmiri Pandits and on the other hand points to the dangers ahead for the very social fabric of the society to which the writer himself belongs. For a small community which is in a state of forced exile and has been struggling very had for its dignified survival, he underlines the importance of delving deep into the existing psyches and bringing about reforms which are the need of time. Talibsays what is good should be retained but detests rigidity in strong terms and advocates change in approach and thinking which in fact has already set in though in forced conditions. He not only wants voluntary acceptance of change but desires some more changes in the thinking pattern of the society which are within its means and do not also compromise with the overall image and dignity of the Community. Another delicate issue referred to in the Novel concerns peace and security. There can be no two opinions to Talib’s observation made in his foreword to the book…….. “any human being can understand the value and paramount importance of peace and tranquility only when he stands deprived of these. In my view strife, violence and terror have never helped solve any problem permanently and durable peace can be achieved through dialogue and mutual understanding only”…….” and there lies the key to progress, prosperity and development of nations and its peoples.”……..Talib is not disappointed……He has a positive approach to things and is optimistic in his views that a bright sun would emerge from behind the dark clouds of desperation. Padamshri Kashmiri Lal Zakir, Dy. Chairman Haryana Urdu Academy, Chandigarh who has penned down Preface of the book has rightly described it as an important step taken by Talib Kashmiri to keep alive the ages old conceptsof communal harmony and brotherhood in the J&K state. Similarly, Noor Shah, President Urdu Academy J&K in his introductory remarks has stated that Talib has given priority to reflecting the traditional amity, common social and cultural ethos, and strong fraternal relationshipsof the people of Kashmir.This is proved beyond any doubt when Talib in his book writes…….. “Finally the inevitable happens and PremNath passes away. The heart rending scenes on this occasion serve as an eye opener to all those religious bigots and communalist elements who refuse to recognize what real Kashmiriyat meant and how Hindus, Muslims and people of other faiths together constituted the heart and soul of their motherland and could never be separated from one another even in the wake of most malicious propaganda and grave provocations.” and again…… “The heart touching scenes witnessed on this occasion being sufficient enough to prove that real Kashmiriyat was not merely a slogan exploited by unscrupulous elements for their vested interests only, but a hard reality of life and whenever a common Kashmiri Muslim and Hindu hug it is not for any publicity purpose but to assimilate their heartbeats in each other’s souls, a legacy inherited by them from their ancestors in the land of Rishis, Munies, Sofis and Saints.”
So far as the style of his writing is concerned, the two essential ingredients of a novel i.e. continuity and suspense have been maintained till the end and the Novel reaches its climax after passing through usual ups and downs. Noor Shah a reputed fiction writer states that the most commendable part in the art of Novel writing is that the writer should not reveal himself in any way, but at the same time he should make his presence felt in every description. Creating a story is easy but to communicate ones ideas and experiences to the reader through that story is a difficult task and this is done through plot in which characters play a pivotal role. This is what Talib Kashmiri has exactly done in “Aakhri Khwaahish”. He has tried to describe each and every situation whether it of social or economic, romantic or rivalry, poverty or affluence, exploitation or entertainmentcontours in an effective manner and has at no stage compromised the basic requirements of art and style. He has used a simple and easily comprehensible language which I hope cannot go without a word of praise from the readers and in unmistakable terms indicates the charismatic strength of his pen. In short, “The Last Wish” has much more in it for the readers than what they may expect and I am certain the book will make anexcellentand interesting reading for them.
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