New trend in Urdu travelogue
Haroon Adeem is a well-known
Punjabi language poet, journalist, literary critic, and short story
writer. With some 7 books of poetry, fiction, criticism, and journalism
to his credit, Haroon Adeem is a major figure in contemporary Punjabi
literature. His poetry stood out among his contemporaries’ work for its
unflinching humanism, and Haroon’s afsana (short story) work is
considered a masterful depiction of those pakistanis who have to live
abroad for bread and butter. He also published and edited the
prestigious political journal “Zameer” for almost two syears.
In his long career as a writer and journalist , Haroon has also the
distinction to serve as anchor person in electronic media. For several
decades Haroon has been contributing weekly columns to national
newspapers; a classic example is “Surat e haal” in several daily
newspapers , which focused on current issues. Published collections of
his best-known works include the poetry volumes “Maele wich gawachae
logg” and “Haerataen” and the short story collections “ Kalla Saach.”
Haroon Adeem is best-known for his seminal work “Waris Shhah Daa Fulsafa
e Isaq” based on the traditional folk tale of Heer and her lover Ranjha.
This work is considered one of the quintessential works of Punjabi
literature. The critisim on Heer was also put to paper by several other
writers, but Haroon’s version is by far the most impacting. He is a
consummate artist, deeply learned in sufi and domestic cultural
lore.This book is , in fact, a comparative study of Eastern and Western
philosophy of love. Haroon Adeem takes literature not as a combination
of mere thought and words but as a kind of subjective truth, which
through its content and forms can mirror and depict the social and
cultural problems of our society. He knows that we cannot impart beauty
to literature by merely combining various means of expression. It
requires an organic unfolding of the inner essence of the writer’s life.
Although he got his fame from Punjabi writings yet after reading his new
book, “Neil ka sahel se”a reader comes to know that Haroon could also
express himself in Urdu language also. He does not follow ‘blindly’ the
rigid and settled pattern for Urdu Travelogues, as majority of Urdu
travel writers confine their approach on specific and mechanical history
of country concerned.
But Haroon does not follow this approach. He utilized incidental and
analytical techniques, for this travelogue, which are basic elements for
classical travelogues. As novel, travelogue writing also came from the
impacts of English literature on Indian Languages in 19th century. It
has been established that the first travelogue written in Urdu was by
Yousuf Khan Kambalposh (1803-1861). Another travelogue in Urdu was
written by Nawab Karim Khan in a diary form entitle Sayhatnama an
important travelogue of this period is Safir-e-Avadh by Molvi Masihuddin
Alivi who visited London .
Other worth mentioning travelogues of the 19th century about visits to
Europe are Musafiran-e-London by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Sair-e-Hamidi by
Mohd Hamid Ali Khan . all these travelogues are moreor less reformative
and full of preaching for the Indians. The Urdu travelogues of the first
quarter of the 20th century are transitory in nature. Unfortunately, in
20th century and particularly after the creation of Pakistan, several
Urdu travel writers start to apply mechanical methods for their travel
writings. Fortunately, Haroon revived the classical technique for
travelogues.
The author is obviously knowledgeable and gives you valuable insights.
The book is not so much concerned with the ancient sites, although many
sites are discussed, yet it deals more with the practical side of
Egyptian society. I found the information accurate and up-to-date. The
author explains things in an easy to understand way and offers many
helpful tips, especially with regard to dealing with the more persistent
Egyptians.
This book is simply magnificent. All of other travel books that I’ve
read have been engaging, but this one stands out above the rest for me.
The premise here is simple: Haroon Adeem wants to travel overland
through Egypt. The cultural, geographical, and political contrasts he
experiences are all brought to life vividly, but it is in his commentary
on the state of Egyptian society that he expresses his opinions with a
passion that I have rarely felt in other travelogues books.. The picture
he paints of Egypt in his day is one where progress - in its broadest
sense - was most definitely on the horizon. Now, it seems, that promise
is slipping further and further away to the point of being a mere speck.
As you would expect, Haroon Adeem makes no bones about laying blame
squarely at the feet of the morally weak, but politically strong leaders
who emerged in parts of post-colonial Egypt. One of the things I like
about Haroon Adeem as a travel writer is that you are generally made
aware of the craft; the note taking, the scribbling. |
