Sunday, June 30, 2013

Correction to one common literary misconception

99% of Urdu readers think that (even in text books of Pakistan universities) famous  ghazal -

 na kisi ki aankh ka noor hun, na kisi ke dil ka qarar hun 
 jo kisi ke kaam na aa sake, main woh ik mushte gubar hun 

belongs to Bahadur Shah Zafar.

Even new couplets, wrong words and takhallus were added . But in actuality it belongs to pre-partition Indian poet Muztar kherabadi. Attached is image which is scanned to me by a very highly literate friend in Urdu literature!



Saturday, June 29, 2013

Izzat!

"Tumhara shohar kitna bad-dimag aur bad-tameez shakhs hai. Phir bhi tum uski kitni izzat kerti ho. Kal us ne tum se kitna jhagra kiya magar - aaj subah - tum ne usi tarah us ka nashta banaya, aur uska 'tiffin' bandha. Kese ker leti ho?"

"Awwal to saari duniya ko kiun pata chale ke mian biwi ka jhagra huwa hai, is liye aaj 'tiffin' nahi aaya! Dusri baat, Aurat akeli ho to us ke aas paas hazar mard jama ho jaate hain. Us pe dil waarne waale, dilkash 'slick talk' kerne wale, us pe paisa urane wale - magar --- Aurat ko apna naam dene wala, izzat ki chadar aur char deewari ki 'security' dene wala, use dusre mardoN ki nazroN se mehfooz kerne ke liye anghooti daalne wala --- hazaroN main bas aik mard hota hai. Ab aurat uski bhi izzat na kare to kiya apne pairoN pe kulhari maar le?"

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The Mayor of Casterbridge - 2

One email on the previous post, "The Mayor of Casterbridge" (here)


I have been reading your blog and musings but have yet to comment. On your review of 'The Mayor of Casterbridge,' I felt to say something. I was mesmerized by Michael Henchard's character because of my strong will father's addiction to alcohol. 


I tried to post a comment twice, but the comment didn't go through; I am sending an email to clarify 2 points.


1. Your review leaves the impression that Donald Farfrae was a clever, manipulative man. I'm afraid I have to disagree. I think he was just too naive or, let's say, a shallow fellow who failed to understand the depth of Michael Henchard's personality. He didn't mean harm, but due to his young, ambitious nature, he could not realize the ills he brought into Michael Henchard's life. We learned from him that the depth of character is different from living a regular superficial life!


2. Michael Henchard's character is all about intensity. He is a good man but of intense emotions. He loves, hates, and acts with intensity. Intensity is a double edge sword. Intensity brings massive depth in character and the strength to do the right things irrespective of consequences. Still, it rattles and rocks own and many lives around—many geniuses, as we know in history.


Portraying the complex interaction of these two characters from everyday life in conjunction with three different women, like, innocent Elizabeth-Jane, womanly as a woman can be Lucetta, and motherly Susan, makes this novel a classic.



Ashaar
UK

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Sunday, June 23, 2013

The Mayor of Casterbridge

(I am lucky to have kids who allow me to read while I am on vacation)

'The Mayor of Casterbridge' is said to be Thomas Hardy's best work, first published in 1886 and later had subsequent editions.


'The Mayor of Casterbridge' revolves around the controversial character of Michael Henchard, whom Thomas Hardy continues to argue as a man of character despite his horrible mistakes in life.


Michael Henchard is an emotional man addicted to alcohol and, one day, under the influence of alcohol, sells his wife and an infant child in an auction for five guineas. That's how the novel opens. Later in the story, he tries to reincarnate into a respectful man, intervening with many twists. Cruel destiny challenges him as his wife and child appear again! - but was it all clear as it appeared?


Thomas Hardy is trying to say that any human character is tangled between many things like emotions, addictions, intelligence, relationships, fate, innate good nature, hidden truths, etc. The prime time of seeing the balance of this prism is in middle age. Some people pull through successfully with a fine balance,' and some just drop down the cliff!


One interesting thing I noticed but didn't read in any other reviews was the constant duel of 2 characters in the novel. Michael Henchard is an emotional and anxious man prone to act on his reflexes, and Donald Farfrae is a man of good nature, mature and intelligent. But beneath the layers is Henchard, whom Thomas Hardy thinks of as a man of character, despite all his faults. It is just that Farfare knows how to play his moves. It appeared to me that many readers miss the point that - many, though they seem perfect outside (like Farfare), may have more material objectives than achieving unseen values.


This novel reminded me of many human beings around me - and the final take was - not to be judgemental about any human.


If you don't have time, you can watch tele adaption here Part 1 and Part 2The full print novel is here

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Saturday, June 22, 2013

Saman (Ashfaq Ahmad)

I don't agree with everything Ashfaq sahab says but I have to agree with this one. I tried to translate below in my FOB english!




Men love things of his personal use. Women feel satisfied by things which she can show to others. As far as woman stays as a man 'thing', he continue to pour his heart on her and stays her kosher! But as soon as woman becomes free and independent, he starts respecting her as a free and independent individual. - And between them, instead of love - a feeling of mutual respect gets born.


Saturday, June 08, 2013

The last "Thank You"

I was in 3rd  year medical school. During my very first clinical rotation through medical ward, I was ask to take 'history' from a very private /VVIP/paid patient. Later, I was told he was one of the richest tycoon in the city. I learned a lot about him after he died, from newspaper. He left most of his estate to the nurse who was taking care of him. Wife, children and family were furious. Legal actions and stories were published in newspaper. But what he told to a naive, young medical student on that sunny day in a private hospital room made all sense to later parts of events which remained incomprehensible to many.

"Jab insaan maut ke bister pe para hota hai to sab kuch be-maani ho jaata hai. Ma thori thori yaad aati hai. Biwi, bachhe, bhai bahen, sab dost rishetedar be-maani ho jaate hain. Paisa, daulat, izzat, shaurat bhi bekaar lagti hai. Kaun zindagi main mila, kaun kho gaya - kuch yaad nahi rehta. Log kehte hain, achhe amal yaad rehte hain - sach poocho to woh be be-maani lagte hain. Maut ki dehleez pe khare - sirf aik hi jee chahta hai - ke - jo zindagi main aap ke kaam aaye, jinhoN ne aap ke dukh baante, jo bure waqtoN main aap ke saath khare rahe - aap sirf aik dafa unhe 'Thank you' keh sakain - werna baqi sab kuch aur baqi sab log izafi lagte hain"