Snapshots of life in Pakistan can be seen
throughout this book, in this collection of thirteen short stories, written by popular
Pakistani writers in the book, “Do you suppose it’s the East Wind?” which was initially
written in Urdu. It was edited and translated into English by Muhammad Umar
Memon. The writing is parallel to the emotions held by Muslims during the time
before and after Partition. Poignant stories, by Pakistani writers; Abdullah
Hussein, Altaf Fatima, Ghulam Abbas, Jameela Hashmi, Abul Fazl Siddiqi,
Ikramullah, Fahmida Riaz, Hasan Manzar, Asad Muhammad Khan, Ashfaq Ahmad, Javed
Shahin and Tasadduq Sohail have been told having themes of familial affection,
life in Muslim society, pre and post Partition of India. Pain is shown due to separation
of Muslim friends from Hindu friends, and their accustomed life they led before
the Partition.
throughout this book, in this collection of thirteen short stories, written by popular
Pakistani writers in the book, “Do you suppose it’s the East Wind?” which was initially
written in Urdu. It was edited and translated into English by Muhammad Umar
Memon. The writing is parallel to the emotions held by Muslims during the time
before and after Partition. Poignant stories, by Pakistani writers; Abdullah
Hussein, Altaf Fatima, Ghulam Abbas, Jameela Hashmi, Abul Fazl Siddiqi,
Ikramullah, Fahmida Riaz, Hasan Manzar, Asad Muhammad Khan, Ashfaq Ahmad, Javed
Shahin and Tasadduq Sohail have been told having themes of familial affection,
life in Muslim society, pre and post Partition of India. Pain is shown due to separation
of Muslim friends from Hindu friends, and their accustomed life they led before
the Partition.
In the short story, The Tree by Tasadduq
Sohail, the author involves his sense of solitude by accompanying his
loneliness with that of a tree. The tree is brought to life in the story and it
actually teaches us a lesson. I like how the tree, outrageously blurts out to
the author explaining how grateful the man should be, for he is given the gift
of speaking. The story forms a bond of friendship between these two; the author
and the tree. In turn the author learns to value the little things in life. The
extent of the bond between the talking tree and the man is amazing. This type
of a friendship was so “imaginary” but it moved me as a reader to see how small
things in life can affect you.
Sohail, the author involves his sense of solitude by accompanying his
loneliness with that of a tree. The tree is brought to life in the story and it
actually teaches us a lesson. I like how the tree, outrageously blurts out to
the author explaining how grateful the man should be, for he is given the gift
of speaking. The story forms a bond of friendship between these two; the author
and the tree. In turn the author learns to value the little things in life. The
extent of the bond between the talking tree and the man is amazing. This type
of a friendship was so “imaginary” but it moved me as a reader to see how small
things in life can affect you.
Another story in the book, Sunlight by Abdullah
Hussein beautifully captures the relationship held between a father and his
son. Trailing a series of humorous questions asked by the son, we understand
their unique relationship.
Hussein beautifully captures the relationship held between a father and his
son. Trailing a series of humorous questions asked by the son, we understand
their unique relationship.
The book
captures or rather does not separate the Islamic religion and lifestyle led by
Muslims during that period of Partition, when most of these stories were
originally written.
captures or rather does not separate the Islamic religion and lifestyle led by
Muslims during that period of Partition, when most of these stories were
originally written.
The Lure of Music by Ghulam Abbas brings
out the importance of music to life. Music seems to fill up the empty moments
in life. It entertains a poor man, a blind man or rich man. It may be in the
form of an instrument- the sarod, the harmonium, or a tune sung; but music
creates harmonious melodies. Life can be picked up at the mosque, on the
street, in school but the tunes and melodies adjoining them all; are music can
be seen in this story.
out the importance of music to life. Music seems to fill up the empty moments
in life. It entertains a poor man, a blind man or rich man. It may be in the
form of an instrument- the sarod, the harmonium, or a tune sung; but music
creates harmonious melodies. Life can be picked up at the mosque, on the
street, in school but the tunes and melodies adjoining them all; are music can
be seen in this story.
The story, “Do you suppose it’s the East
Wind?”- The title of the book, by Altaf Fatima brings out the importance of how
unpredictable life can be when long lost memories suddenly arise. Life is unpredictable and, and people are
never able to choose their own pathways to life. Desires cannot be controlled
and explained and it thus brings us back to the question, “Do you suppose it’s
the East Wind that blows?”
Wind?”- The title of the book, by Altaf Fatima brings out the importance of how
unpredictable life can be when long lost memories suddenly arise. Life is unpredictable and, and people are
never able to choose their own pathways to life. Desires cannot be controlled
and explained and it thus brings us back to the question, “Do you suppose it’s
the East Wind that blows?”
Further on, the rest of the stories, For
Freedom’s Sake, The Lure of Music, Banished, Ghulab Khas, Regret, Pink
Pigeons-Was it they who won?, The Drizzle, Ma’i Dada, If Truth Be Told; go on to explain various relationships among
the Muslims during that time. Occasional use of Urdu can be found throughout
the book, maintaining its originality from the Urdu script. Snapshots of the
freedom struggle- riots between Muslims and Hindus, the Jallianwala Bagh
incident bring us back to the times when independence was merely a dream.
Freedom’s Sake, The Lure of Music, Banished, Ghulab Khas, Regret, Pink
Pigeons-Was it they who won?, The Drizzle, Ma’i Dada, If Truth Be Told; go on to explain various relationships among
the Muslims during that time. Occasional use of Urdu can be found throughout
the book, maintaining its originality from the Urdu script. Snapshots of the
freedom struggle- riots between Muslims and Hindus, the Jallianwala Bagh
incident bring us back to the times when independence was merely a dream.
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