An Analysis of the Works of Notable Female Urdu Novelists - Concluding Part 3

By Dr. Afzal Misbahi, New Age Islam Translated into English by Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam An Overview of Some Contemporary Female Novelists and Their Writings Main Points 1. Tarannum Riyaz's "Barf Aashna Parinde" and "Moorti" both addressed the Kashmir issue in different ways. 2. The author used a variety of techniques, including gestures, epithets, and other means to express the difficulties and suffering of Kashmir. 3. Jilani Bano's "Aiwan-e-Ghazal" highlights Hyderabad and Gandhiji's civil disobedience movement. 4. Asha Prabhat's novel 'Jane Kitne Mod' is a fusion of Urdu and Hindi, narrating the tale of a poor woman challenging the standards of the upper class. 5. Khushnuda Nilofer's "Outer Lane" and Nasreen Banu's "Ek Aur Kosi" are two recent works one of which explores the challenges of taking competitive tests for government jobs. ------ ‘Barf Aashna Parinde’ by Tarannum Riyaz was published in 2009. Even if Tarannum Riyaz is no longer with us, her works will continue to be cherished by future generations. In contrast to "Moorti," "Barf Ashna Parinde" has diverse themes. Both have, however, addressed the Kashmir issue in various ways. While the main character of "Barf Ashna Parinde" is mostly concerned with academic issues and the lives of professors and other intellectuals connected to educational institutions, "Moorti" highlights the issues that Kashmiri women must deal with. Though the subject topic is not new, Tarannum Riyaz deserves appreciation for how well she expressed it. Every reader is encouraged to study it just because of the beauty of the name. When analysing the metaphorical connotations of "Barf Ashna Parinde," several pictures come to mind, including the icy weather of Kashmir and the birds trapped there, trembling in the cold while wishing to soar to the skies. It is clear that Tarannum Riyaz used some exquisite language in it. So see for example: “Naram khu, haleem aur haseen kashmiriyon ki zameen, daanishwaron, fankaaron ka khitta, resham w pasham, zaafraaon zaaron aur murghzaaron ki sarzameen, pahadon, paaniyon aur waadiyon ka maskan, ye Kashmir, jannat be nazeer, jiski paanch hazaar saal purani taareekh maujud hai, jiski misaal shayad hi duniya me kahin mile” Translation: This Kashmir, the unmatched paradise, has a five-thousand-year history that is unlike anything else in the world. It is home to gentle, meek, and beautiful Kashmiris as well as intellectuals, artisans, and artists, as well as producers of silk and saffron and the home of mountains, rivers, and valleys.] "Kashmir, the centre of the oldest language and civilization, the Kashmir of the Rishis, the Munis [sages], the Kashmir of Sheikh al-Alam and Lalleshwari [also known locally as Lal Ded], the Kashmir of the Buddha Shakya Muni's prophecy, the Kashmir of Rishi Kashyap, the Kashmir of Lalitaditya Muktapida and Suyya, Ashoka, the Kashmir of Kalhana and Budshah, the Kashmir of Habba Khatoon, the Kashmir of Arni Mal and perhaps the chosen resting place of Moses and Jesus...” [Barf Ashna Parinde] Regarding the passages mentioned above, Abid Suhail states: “No twists or screws. Everything seems to be in order. This area has been credited for five thousand years with the beauty and craftsmanship of the seasons, landscapes, meadows, lakes, valleys, and artistry. Each idea is distinct from the others without rejecting them, and each is joyful and exuberant as well. Every colour is the same and every scent is recognisable, forming a whole in which nothing causes a letter to be cancelled. The people of Kashmir have been shaped in this manner over a period of five thousand years. It encompasses everything from the past, including its culture, religion and unanimity, as well as all that has been ingrained in Kashmir's residents and is a part of their nuances”. [Aiwaan-e-Urdu, Delhi, February 2014] This is the vast canvas on which memories spanning 5,000 years are depicted. These recollections have been exquisitely conveyed in exquisite language. Even though such recollections are now a part of history and have been entirely forgotten in the Kashmir of the present, it is not apparent from the expression that those memories are no longer a part of Kashmir today. The freezing waters of the waterfalls carve trails between the stones and irrigate everyone as they pass. This is the tale of the white valleys that fill the air with the aromas of apricots, apples, walnuts, plums, and apricots. However, this Kashmir that resembles paradise appears to have come under the evil eye of someone, as sparks can be seen burning in some spots, and instead of cold water, there is now a feeling of heat in the air from boiling water, which does not last without heating the entire area. The author has conveyed to the world the hardships and sorrows that the people of Kashmir have gone through since their freedom, at times using gestures and epithets and other times using plain language. The characters that have appeared in the form of Professor Danish and Professor Sameer Ghosh leave behind many memories. The two major protagonists in this five hundred and fifty-page book are Sheeba and Kashmir. Sheeba has the rest of her life and Kashmir has its future. Tarannum Riyaz is a Kashmiri-born woman who is aware of the potential of playing both of these roles. Both of the aforementioned novels by Tarannum Riyaz have a significant place in novels of the twenty-first century, and writers and critics have given it particular attention. 'Aiwan-e-Ghazal' by Jilani Bano was released in a revised edition in 2012. The author says that this book, which was first published in 2003, is filled with errors. As a result, while thinking about the 2012 version, I'm daring to conduct an analytical examination. The terrible circumstances that led to the partition of India and the collapse of Hyderabad are the main subject of the book. Jilani Bano is one of the most well-known Urdu novelists. In her book, she highlighted a variety of elements of the political and cultural life of the society. Her writing typically depicts Hyderabad's life. Gandhiji's civil disobedience movement is shown throughout "Aiwan-e-Ghazal" from the opening to the sad accident that caused the country to divide. The backdrop of the novel includes both the cultural story and the disintegrating feudal order in Hyderabad. Here, Jilani Bano's maturity in social consciousness and intensity of sentiment is on display. Jilani Bano has avoided letting her feelings influence her writing. This is the main characteristic of her writing. She described a degenerate system whose spokespeople included Ahmad Hussain and Wahid Hussain, and who were also accountable for the system's collapse. In assessing Jilani Bano's position within the canon of Urdu literature, Professor Wahab Ashrafi states: “How many people have fallen and risen during the course of Urdu fiction? Some people surprised everyone with their unfinished work. After five or ten writings, some people changed their minds. Some people not only made an effort to leave their mark on history, but as time passed, their literary image also developed and was accentuated. There is no doubt that the history of Urdu fiction would not be complete without them. Fiction writers are divided into different groups. Some have made history the basis for their creativity, others have made an effort to propagate Marxism, yet others have ties to rural areas, and still, others feel it's important to develop a rapport with the challenges of urban life. But in this situation, if such a bright line does appear, it is not contained anywhere and illuminates as well as encompasses the various and varied currents of existence. There are undoubtedly very few of these writers, and Jilani Bano stands out among them all for her size”. [Jilani Bano ke Takhliqi Jihaat, Shab Khoon, Wahab Ashrafi, p.21] 'Aiwan-e-Ghazal' captures the political shambles of Hyderabad and the local state of emergency. Jilani Bano has personally witnessed the traumatic sights of riots and bloodshed brought on by the partition of the country. As a result, her work appears to be a reflection of reality. Aiwan-e-Ghazal is a stunning example of how old and new styles can coexist. The book maps the shifting environment in Hyderabad and the political and social activities of the Deccan. Reader interest is maintained by the meticulous consideration given to the appeal of the language as well as the events and people in the book. Jilani Bano's collection of ghazals in "Aiwan-e-Ghazal" was so beautifully embellished that the reader couldn't help but feel affected. Some hearts have been compared to "goblets" in this association, and some melancholy to "wine." When the subject is so delicate, why can't writings become appealing? 'Jane Kitne Mod' by Asha Prabhat was published in 2009. She is an innovative novelist who presents her skills in both Urdu and Hindi. Because of this, her writing exhibits a lovely fusion of the two languages. The novel narrates the tale of a poor woman who challenges the standards that the upper class has set for herself. When she abides by these standards, society respects her much, and when she breaks them, a member of her own blood family turns into her worst adversary. A lady is pressured to control her feelings and emotions, but when she decides to defy these rules and seek out a captain, who helped her in every aspect of life, her life changes forever. In a very intriguing approach, the novel shows how society may become a woman's opponent when she wishes to live in freedom. This novel contains the story of a woman named "Lata" who is forced to endure difficulties and trials constantly. The dignity of a woman has no significance in this society since it has become so self-centred and selfish. She is bound to a man who is coerced and then forced to do evil by a relative of hers only to preserve the peace and harmony of the family. Instead, by doing this, they exhale a sigh of relief. However, this woman lives her life in a suffocating manner at all times, and when the time comes to make a final decision, she breaks off all ties and moves on. The work highlights social flaws in this way that are detrimental to any civilised community. 'Outram Lane' by Khushnuda Nilofer and Nasreen Banu's 'Ek Aur Kosi' are two examples of recent works by emerging authors. The novel "Outer Lane" depicts the challenges and complexities Delhi residents encounter when taking competitive tests for government jobs. It appears that Dr. Khushnuda Nilofer's issues at Outeram Lane have been interestingly exposed to the readers. The readership of this book, which was published in 2010, has grown since its release. 'Ek aur kosi' depicts the lives of a woman whose spouse leaves for work overseas soon after they get married. 'Ek Aur Kosi' was published in 2009. ‘Naya Chauffeur’ by Naushaba Khatoon (2012), ‘Nadeeda Baharon Ke Nishan’ by Shaista Fakhri (2013), ‘Aatish Daan’ by Qamar Jamali (2014), ‘Sada-e-Andleeb Bar Shakh-e-Shab’ by Shaista Fakhri (2014) and ‘Kadwa Sach’ by Farah Deeba (2015) and others will be covered in another article. In the upcoming paper, these books will be discussed and their analytical analysis will be offered, God willing. … (Concluded) Dr. Mohammad Afzal Hussain Misbahi, Assistant Professor & Incharge of Urdu Section, MMV, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, U.P. Part One: An Analysis of the Works of Notable Female Urdu Novelists – Part 1 Part Two: An Analysis of the Works of Notable Female Urdu Novelists - Part 2 URL: https://newageislam.com/books-documents/notable-female-urdu-novelists-part-3/d/129834 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism