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Book Review
Urdu short stories
JOGINDER PAL KI CHUNI HUI KAHANIYAN — Urdu Short Stories: Krisna Pal — Tr. in Hindi; Published by Bharatiya Jnanpith, 18, Institutional Area, Lodi Road, New Delhi-110003. Rs. 140.
THIS BOOK has 20 short stories with an autobiographical article by Joginder Pal, who is rated high among the short story writers of Urdu in the post-freedom era.
His stories are based on his experiences and keen observation of life around him. The story "Tamanna ka Doosra Qadam" depicts the life of Kasturi Lal Brahman who from a very humble family rose high and settled in England. His son, Imrati Lal Brahman, marrying Margaret Leach, a widow, having two sons from her previous husband, became Imrati Lal Brayman.
The story "Ghat" tells that for personal gain one can inject to kill anyone, a dumb or deaf woman, beggars, his relatives and even his own brother to sell the corpse to the doctor for heart, kidney and eyes.
"Khodu Baba ka Maqbra" is a humorous and satirical tale of superstition, sexual hunger, a peculiar dog behaving like human beings, a true picture of rural life.
The story "Beqabr" is a satire not only on Americans who had been to India for 50 dead bodies, but Indians too, as the condition of the poor is not better than dead bodies. "Dera Baba Nanak" is on the events after the Partition.
"Bujhte Suraj Ka Samay" presents the contrasts of the East and the West in every walk of life. The stories "Harikirtan" and "Khurak" expose the human degeneration for their satisfaction of hunger, sex and status. "Parinday" has some very short stories of two or three lines, presenting the grim realities of life, human psyche, the mysteries of individual, social and political scenario.
The last one "Nahi, Rahman Babu" is a multi-dimensional story. At first how he was lured by short story, next, how even dead persons come alive after death and attack the tyrannical ruler. Then he comes to the airport where security had a device to detect not only hidden arms under their dress but also terrorism working in the minds. All the passengers were free from arms on their body but all had terrorism in their minds. They were stopped. After waiting for some time they protested. The security officer stood up with his pistol to punish them.
All the stories portray small and big problems of our lives, social and political phenomena with deep insight. This anthology will be appreciated by critics and readers.
M. Q. KHAN
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