Book Review: ‘Gashi Malar’ – An analysis of the creative works of prose and poetry
By: Rayees Ahmad Kumar
Kashmir has seen a great number of scholars, poets, writers, critics and essayist who profoundly enriched not just the language but the cultural ethos of the place and worked hard for the development and promotion of great works of literature. It is for the great works of literature our writers and poets have produced that have given Kashmir a global recognition in the matters of literature and poetic capacities.
The Sufi poetry of Kashmir, many believe, has no parallel in the entire world literature. Unfortunately, not much has been done in connection with translations of great works of poets like Sheikh-ul-Alam, LallaDed, ShamasFaquir, NaemSaeb, WahabKhar etc.
Once the former head of Kashmiri Department, Prof Shad Ramzan said that, ‘Kashmiri poetry of our sufi poets is unique and unparalleled in the whole world and the metaphors and similes used by are seldom found in the literature of other languages of the globe’.
But one must also understand that to conserve such rich heritage and legacy, efforts must be initiated at the earliest. Among those young scholars and poets who currently are on a mission to protect and conserve this rich language is FarooqShaheen. He regularly composes poety and also occasionally prose pieces which are complimented and appreciated by a wide readership.
Hailing from BatporaLangate area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district, FarooqShaheen besides being a poet and a noted critic is an academician as well. He has authored a couple of books and presently the one which is under my review is “Ghasha Malar”.
The book is spread over 195 pages published by famed ‘Meezan Publishers’ Srinagar. In its proem distinguished literary personality of valley Mohammad YousufTaing writes “Let me congratulate FarooqShaheen for authoring this nice piece of Kashmiri prose. A couple of essays of this book really enhanced my interest to go through it”.
In its foreword FarooqShaheen himself says that ‘Ghashi Malar’ is a collection of critical essays which he has composed during the leisure time for he is heartily attached to writing about criticism.
Folklore of any language reflects the social, economic, political and literal aspects of a society and when we talk about Kashmir it is unparalleled and unique in all respects. Unfortunately we realize its eminence and grandeur only when a foreign scholar or researcher talks about its glory and resplendence.
FarooqShaheen has written an extensive article regarding Kashmiri folklore in this book, in which he has talked about our rich past when LalaDed appeared on the literary landscape of valley. He talks about her marriage, the Naag dynasty sand other historical and cultural aspects of this landlocked place.
The writer talks about Greece which was a small country and how t the philosophy and works of Aristotle and Plato act as an inspiration to the world even today. He further says thatin the field of Kashmiri language and literature, Prof RehmanRahi’s works are profound and exemplary representing an era, a philosophy in itself. The writer quotes distinguished critic and poet, Prof Hamidi Kashmiri who says – Prof RehmanRahi is the most qualified contemporary poet, who has strong hold not only on Kashmiri but equally holds acquaintance of English, Persian and Urdu. The writer highlights how the works of Rahi infused new life to Kashmiri poetry.
In an essay titled ‘Journey of Modern Kashmiri Ghazal’ (Page 60-96), the writer says that the founding fathers of Ghazal in Kashmiri are MehmoodGami, Rasul Mir, WazaMehmood and Sheikh YaqubSarfi and later it was presented by Mehjoor and Azad aiming to give direction to newer emotions and aspirations. The writer argues in the essay titled ‘Kamil’s Fictional Prowess’ that the Kashmiri Fiction isn’t very old, but alongside poetry and criticism Kashmiri Fiction too has made notable strides parallel to other literatures of globe. It is because the litterateurs of Kashmiri were well versed.
FarooqShaheen states that though we have produced AkhtarMohidin a legendary Fiction writer of global reputation but when we take a review of the Fiction of Amin Kamil his creative stories too are unique and unmatched.
About Shahnaz Rashid, FarooqShaheen argues that in a war torn and conflicted part of globe, the best literature is born. When we analyze the literature of Greece they too have encountered such gloomy situations. Shahnaz Rashid who was born and brought up in valley has realised the pain and gave vent to his emotions through best poetic pieces. He is widely hailed by all alike in valley for his poetry.
All in all, the book is a great read for lovers of literature.
Kashmir Images is an English language daily newspaper published from Srinagar (J&K), India. The newspaper is one of the largest circulated English dailies of Kashmir and its hard copies reach every nook and corner of Kashmir Valley besides Jammu and Ladakh region.
