Opinion | Book Review: ‘Gumshuda Daulat’

North Kashmir’s Bandipora district is famous all over the valley for three things Alim(Knowledge), Aab( Water) and Adab(Good manners). This fertile land has given birth to a number of scholars, historians, litterateurs and politicians. Prof. Rasheed Nazki and Sufi poet Lala Aragami too belonged to this land.

Wular Lake Asia’s largest one and Nishat Park are the main tourist attractions of Bandipora district. Tariq Shabnam a prominent fiction writer of valley whose Urdu short stories often get published in popular Urdu dailies and weeklies of valley and country also belongs to the Ajas village of Bandipora district. His short stories reflect the agony, distressed and melancholic state of the society.
While going through the short stories composed by Tariq Shabnam, a reader’s heart aches because the real picture and state of society has been skilfully wrapped in the stories. ‘Gumshuda Daulat’ is the debut collection of Urdu short stories authored by Tariq Shabnam and published by GNK publications Chararishareef Budgam. It is a 176 page book, comprising of 27 well-crafted Urdu short stories.
It’s cover page is beautifully designed and superior quality paper has further enhanced it’s charm. About this collection, Dr Riyaz Tawheedi the legendary fiction writer and a globally reputed critic is of the view “Tariq Shabnam’s Short stories do reflect the dejected and sorrowful state of society. Short stories must possess some artistic elements and story must reflect the true state of society. And when we analyse the short stories of Tariq Shabnam, it is evident that due to his continuous and regular contributions, he has gained skill and art of composing nice Urdu short stories “.
Noor Shah the father of Urdu fiction of valley, about whom Asmat Chagtai says that I knew Kashmir through Noor Shah sahib’s short stories. Noor Shah in it’s proem says “Urdu short stories are gaining prominence with each passing day as writers from every corner of country compose Urdu short stories through which they give vent to their emotions, feelings and societal issues and problems.
In valley too some energetic young fiction writers have gained fame in the world of literature. The list would be incomplete without incorporating the name of Tariq Shabnam. Gumshuda Daulat his maiden collection is an appealing one as a number of social issues and evils have been artistically highlighted. I suggest you to go through the collection and give your own comments so that author would be encouraged to go ahead”. Dr Ashraf Asari is of the view ” the troublesome period of last three decades has given birth to innumerable short stories in valley and our young generation is trying hard to present the same in their creative works. Tariq Shabnam too is busy in highlighting the sad picture of society in his stories”.
Tariq Shabnam himself says “right from my childhood, I was interested in reading and writing. When some of my writings received applause, it energised my pen and I went ahead with my creative works”.
He has expressed his gratitude to Legendary Noor Shah sahib, Dr Riyaz Tawheedi, Javed Azar, Sheikh Bashir, and Raja Yousuf in realising his dream of becoming a certified author. Bei dard zamana- this is the opening short story of the collection found on page 12 in which the corrupt practices of our public hospitals and the hapless poor man’s misery and pathetic condition has been nicely highlighted. Aabiro – this skillfully and artistically written short story on page 26 reflects Tariq Shabnam’s grip on weaving a beautiful story in which the life of destitutes and economically weaker sections has been portrayed to show how difficult for them it is to protect their chastity.
Dehshath Ke Saye – this terrific short story found on page 46, reminds vallities about the fearful period of ninetees when no one even in extreme need dared to come out of his home during night hours when trepidation only reigned everywhere. Another well-crafted one Intizaar on page 55 has been so nicely presented that a reader can’t feel satisfied without finishing the entire story. It reminds us the pain of those parents especially mothers whose beloved sons are missing for years and how they spent the rest of their life waiting eagerly for their safe return.
Meharban Kaise Kaise – this one on page 80 is the clear reflection of the bitter reality of our corrupted government sector. Though the power department of the valley is the main focus in the story who loot and exploit the poor and gullible people but the rest of the departments too are sailing in the same boat. Gumshuda Daulat – this is the title short story of the book on page 99. This story composed by Tariq Shabnam depicts how matarialistic man despite having every luxury at his disposal and the all sources of comfortable life available to him is devoid of pleasure, peace of mind and completely lacking the wealth of contentment. General Tom the main character of the story succeeds in his mission when he too finds an author of a book has mentioned that no doubt modern man has progressed by leaps and bounds due to the blessings of science and technology but he hasn’t changed his approach.
As a result he seems to be an absurd creations on planet Earth. Be-Rang…This one on page 111 reflects the melancholic and deplorable condition of the daily rated casual labour class of our society. They suffer to the fullest, their feeble old age parents die for want of proper care and watch and their children and spouses get entangled in mental trauma due to lack of proper policy in favour of this depressed class. They live tough lives and silently bear the pain of their wounds. Their woes have been skilfully highlighted in the story by author. Bhanwar- this one on page 137 of the book recites the miserable and dejected story of our big chunk of half-widows who live their lives in absence of their husbands because they aren’t aware about their fate. Whether they are alive or dead, they aren’t able to decide.
Aakhri Jaam – this one on page 155 proves that every living being especially humans have to taste the death. By no means can we enhance the life span and the angel of death is always there to make us mortal. From this story it is also evident that living a short, contended and colourful life is always better than a lengthy but stressful and tasteless life. There are many other beautiful stories in the book viz Kahani Ka Almia, Shikast, Bis saal baid, Bhagawat, Nuskhaye Kimia etc which are worth to be studied and which tell us about our own social fabric and portray the real image and picture of the environment we live in.
Tariq Shabnam like an expert fiction writer has tried his best to find the ultimate cure for his diseased society so that it becomes a healthy one and worth for the humans to dwell in. He possesses the power to compose lengthy stories depicting varied themes and artistically highlighting the gloomy picture of the society. In him I really have found a towering fiction writer, who very soon will be able to touch the skies provided he regularly writes with the same pace, zeal and enthusiasm.
This collection of Urdu short stories is a precious gift which only fiction and Urdu lovers can feel and love. I therefore suggest every budding writer to go through the pages of the book and comment accordingly. My best wishes and goodluck to Mr Tariq Shabnam for his future endeavours.

– The writer can be reached at rayeeskumar31@gmail.com