Opinion | Book review of “Ek Mamuli Aadmi” by Noor Shah

Amidst the vivid cultural mosaic of valley, one luminary stands tall – Noor Shah a literary virtuous and genius whose inked prose paint a portrait of linguistic richness and creative profundity. Born at picturesque Dalgate area of Srinagar in 1936, Noor Shah has embarked on a literary Odyssey spanning many decades. Through his magical pen, he has profoundly enriched the fictional landscape of valley. Distinguished fiction writer Asmat Chagtai says that she knew Kashmir through Noor Shah’s stories. Another noted fiction writer Krishan Chander says that he knew Kashmir through the stories of Noor Shah and Hamidi Kashmiri. During his service tenure Noor Shah has held many powerful administrative posts viz Director Rural development, Director Science and Technology, Deputy Commissioner and Chief executive officer JK energy development agency. Apart from short stories, Noor Shah has written eighty dramas for Radio. His resourcefulness can be assessed by going through his Novels like Payal Ke Zakhm, Neeli Jheel Kalay Saye and Aao Sou Jayein. The novelist has also to his credit a few novelettes like Adhi Raat Ka Suraj, Lamhe Aur Zanjeerien. Not only dramas and novels, but he has written several TV serials like Dard Ka Rishta (13 episodes), Gul Aur Bulbul (13 episodes), Neelma (13 episodes), Solar Energy in J &K (4 episodes), Gull (a 30 minute documentary) and a feature film Urdu in Kashmiri. Noor Shah’s short story collection include Be Ghat Ki Nav, Veeranay Ke Phool, Ek Raat Ki Malika, Man Ka Aagan Udas Udas, Geelay Pathroun Ki Mehak, Be Samar Sach and Aasman, Phool Aur Lahoo. Many M.Phil and Doctorate degrees have been conferred to scholars for analysing the literary works of Noor Shah. The habit of writing diary proved so fruitful to the him that he could write Band Kamrey Ki Khidki out of his diary entries. It is because of this, Noor Shah has earned a name as a proactive fiction writer of India. Presently the one which I am reviewing is Ek Mamuli Aadmi a collection of thirty short stories. The book spans 120 pages, boasting a crafted cover and premium paper quality is published by Meezan Publishers Srinagar. Noor Shah has dedicated this masterpiece to Ahmad Furqan, Ahmad Fawad, Ahmad Dawood and Qasim Kamili. This handsome collection opens with Baat Eik Raat Ki (p7) a magnificently crafted and beautifully woven short story reflecting the different forms of poverty prevalent in our society, where some are bound to beg before public to feed their families while some even sell their chastity to earn through illegal means. Taali(9-11)- the second short story is a clear reflection of the unfair treatment met by our daughter in-laws at the hands of their mother in-laws in new home particularly when they fail to give birth to a baby. The relationship takes many ugly turns and get strained with each passing day. Without checking the potency of sons, parents go for divorcing the daughter in-laws and most embarassing moment is faced when medical reports prove the fault of their own son. Neeli Lout Aye Gi (12-20), Noor Shah is an expert romantic fictional story writer who is well-versed about how to begin and finish a heart melting love story of two souls. This one of a couple of house sparrow has been skillfully shaped enduring the sharp pangs of pain of solitude alongside a man who craves and longs for the company of Neeli his beloved. Apni Apni Kahani(p21-25), this one portrays the cunning and deceptive nature of women who always stand in the queu to lure a big chunk of gullible and simpleton men in the name of love and pious relationship. They maintain temporary relations with men, visit health resorts, spend nights in hotels intending to earn big money thereby deceiving them. Shakhi Be Samar (p26-27) – Noor Shah has artistically woven this one reflecting how two girl friends were so closer to each other living as husband wife against the norms and traditions of social and religious ethics. Both had impregnated themselves by a male servant secretly who was accompanying them and doing their house chores. Be Nam Kahani Ka Akhri Warq (p32-34), this one skillfully crafted illustrates the dwindling human values and cultural ethos among valley dwellers. In past Kashmir was famous for it’s hospitality and rich human values but alas suddenly such blessings have altogether vanished from the land of ever-flowing Jhelum and beautiful Dal Lake. Ek Mamuli Aadmi (p43-48), this title short story is wellcrafted by Noor Shah Sahab, revolving around a romantic story of Asima and Nadir who once were classmates during college life now aspiring to tie the nuptial but Asima’s brother becomes a hurdle in their true love story. Nadir belonged to an impoverished class while Asima was from a well-off family, so her brother didn’t allow her to strengthen their relationship. Instead he married her to Salman a rich guy but his tragic death due to an accident distressed Asima further. Nadir had excelled in journalism and was a capable and competent guy but while capturing a firing scene he too lost his life on the same day of Salman’s accidental death. Call Bell (p49-51), We have previously heard many incidents about begging women being duped by thirsty men in their own homes who aimed to earn for their children but were exploited sexually or sometimes they themselves were interested in the same. Allah Khair Kare (57-60), while going through this meticulously penned story, we are reminded of the era of arrests and beating of our youth allegedly involved in stone pelting by police. It can’t be denied that only those involved in anti-national or antisocial activities are put behind the bars, but sometimes even innocent ones too are labelled as criminals and fall prey to the draconian laws as has been shown in the story. Kashmir Kahani(70), this one manifests and reflects the pain of pelt victims who either have been partially blinded or have completely lost their vision. Ghar Ki Baat(71), this one is a clear reflection of the corruptive practices adopted by Policemen while dealing with people on daily basis who often keep it secret to their spouses and later beg before them not to make it public. Khandani Rewayat(72-73), Tricky and sophisticated people always lure and dupe naive and artless people, however this unfair and illegal means doesn’t suit a literary person especially a poet as has been vividly painted in his story. Du Gaz Zamin(82-84), Pathetic and melancholic conditions of people dwelling across two sides of the artificially created border have been expertly demonstrated where the people having same skin colour, traditions, culture and history are made to endure pain and live hostilely. They continue to loose their loved ones, their dreams get shattered and become homeless this whole for two yards of land. Jugno (85-86), Noor Shah Sahab has analogised children with fireflies in this story who live together with brotherhood, amicably and with utmost love and care. They are devoid of hatred, avarice and cupidity. Pehchan(90-91), This one unveils the inner longing and yearning desires of some women who instead of day’s bright light, love the black and dark night. It is because nobody recognises them while doing immoral and unscrupulous activities. Kitabain(92-94), There is a famed proverb – books must be few and good. While choosing a book, it is crucial we must always buy the morally upright one’s, which develop morality and ethical values amongst ourselves and our children. These mustn’t be like those we are bound to keep away from our own children. Waapsi (109-11), Noor Shah Sahab has brilliantly reflected the impact of division of people among several sects of the same religion and region of Kashmir. People are erecting few yard mosques in each lane and street, which ultimately has divided them amongst different ideologies, sects and communities. Apna Apna Dukh(115-18), In this tech-savvy and ultra-modern era when science and technological developments have eased our lives, every facility is easily available at our doorsteps, our unethical and conservative nature has seen no transformation. We still consider our daughter in-laws as our maid servants and labourers for each family member, which contradicts the teachings and orders of holy religion. Lazati Be Gunah(119), this brief and closing one of the book depicts Noor Shah’s technical aspects of creating fictional pieces. That is why he is acclaimed among few distinguished and noted fiction writers of country.