Curiosity and eagerness in creative business lead a penman to reach new dimensions. British writer John Ruskin (1819-1900) writes in his book "The Two Path" published in 1859 that "Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together." No doubt to achieve fresh style with modern sensibility is not an easy task.
It demands keenness and continued efforts from a writer to achieve capture that a place in the literary world. The study of Yaaseen Afzaal's book "Surat-e-Sang" (poetic anthology) is a manifestations to attain high creative status.
The author has a literary background having four books to his credit. His first book is "Pani Pathther," (1986) second one is "Grift," (1993) the third book "Maintenance System of Mechanical Equipment" is in English. This is a non-literary book.
It came out for the first time in 1985. It was translated into Urdu in 1988. The book under review "Surat-e-Sang" is author's fourth publication. Cantinas poems. There are 36 ghazals, 31 poems and a ten page preface. The book has been dedicated to the late Dr Fahim Aazmi (Editor of monthly 'Sareer'), Ubaidullah Aleem, John Ailia, Jilani Kamran and Hasan Abidi.
The author has also written a book on his own personality, to give an analytical assessment of his own literary works under the title "Oongliyan Apni Taraf." (The finger pointing to me).
Yaaseen Afzaal has talked about his poetic style, vocabularies, symbolic approaches. In this book, he has expressed his views about life with reference to social activities, involvement in politics, cultural issues and the events, which are occurring day and night around him. "Azan," "Toota Hoowa Tara," "Surat-e-Sang," "Dafnana Mana'a Hai," "Khamosh Aag," "Second Attack," "Goad Bharaee," "Pa Barida," "Ayadat," "Nishani," "Aqubat Khana," "Lohay Ki Roti," "Sangeen Chhap" "Phool," "Aahan Ger," and "Sufaid Khoon" are some of his poems which may be referred to in this regard. He has also written some poems on the disastrous earthquake of October 8, 2005.
His ghazals and poems in the book under discussion present a freshness of style. He seems to have attempted to create some different shades of experiences in different metaphoric style. His experiments towards symbolism and aesthetic approaches are commendable.
His love for his beloved has widened to be changed into love of mankind. So being in love with romanticism he is also a interpreter of human sufferings. He has tried to pinpoint pains and plights of the masses. He is a peace-loving man and wants to live in a peaceful world. Prosperity of humankind is among his many good dreams and desires.