Marhala-e-Shouq - can be translated in many ways, I prefer 'Conjuncture of Yearning'. This is the title of the collection of literary articles written by the late Zamir Niazi. Niazi was a person who lived for and did what he thought was good or true. No doubt he was a progressive writer and thinker but on his own terms and conditions.
Not bound by the collective decision or directive by the organisation leaders, he always pronounced his differences boldly and loudly. Coming back to the book under discussion, it contains 20 articles, of which three articles deal with the translation of the Holy Quran, four about Khusro and two about Jan Nisar Akhtar.
Among other articles one is titled "Review of the reviews" dealing with the writings about Progressive Writers Association, its thinking and working. It reviews the nine reviews published in the book form. The writers are Aziz Ahmed, Ali Sardar Jafery, Hans Raj Rehbar, Khalil-ul-Rehman Azmi, Coapal Mital, Kishan Parshad Kol, Sajjad Zaheer, Agha Sarkaush Qizalbash and Furqat Kakavi. In an article on the first translation and commentary of Quran in poetry Niazi has traced out Shaikh Nooruddin Mohammad Saleh Makhdoom-ul-Alam.
In another article commentary and translations in Urdu poetry he has dealt with 14 such collections. In the third article on the subject he has focused on the Quran's translation and commentary in Kashmiri language. There are four articles about Khusro namely 'Khusro Sultan-e-Sukhan Goyan', 'Amir Khusro Tazkeron Main' (He has briefly quoted some 32 anthologies on Khusro), 'Khusro Ka Tasawwar-e-Hayat' and Khusro Ki Insan Dosti."
His article on "Ek Qadeem Dakkni Masnavi", deals with the long poem 'Kam Roop Kala' by Tahsin-ud-Din discovered by Datsri. Another article deals with the life and work of Aleem Shah Qadri, an unknown ancient poet from Daccan. Than there is article on Fort William College, aims and objects of its formation, its contribution on its impact on languages, culture and politics of India.
"Khawja Ahmed Abbas - Chand Yadain-Chand Batain" is an article where in Niazi's affinity with Khawja Sahib and criticism on his ideological friends is evident. There are two articles with the same title "Teen Naslon Ka Shair-Jan Nisar Akhtar, assessed and appreciated quite differently from other progressive writers and poets.
There is one article "Kirshan Chandr - Sachai Ka Alam Bardar", the title is the indicative of its content. In the article 'Firaq Aur Faiz' both the poets are appreciated with their peculiarities. 'Kahani Amar Hai' deals with the changing pattern, styles, skill and sensitivity of the people and the attitude of the short story writers and their critics.
"Nigar Ke Peshro Aur Humasr Jaraed" tells the story of literary journalism and freedom of thought and all the issues related with it. The last article "Asateza-e-Ghalib". The content of the article may help the writers interested in research as to how to approach the subject and how to substantiate the ideas expressed. There are two things calling for one's attention. First the varied nature of the articles and the extensive knowledge and understanding of the writer. Zamir Niazi was basically a research minded person. He never took any statement at its face value.
The bibliography with every article stands witness to his prowess and desire to reach the truth. Wishing in vain, had Zamir Niazi been alive he would definitely have provided the dates of publication or writing of these articles and the journals, in which they were published. The Director Pakistan Study Centre, University of Karachi, Dr Jaffer Ahmed has every right to take pride in publishing the fifth look by Zamir Niazi.
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Book : 'Marhala-e-Shouq'
Writer : Asif Farrukhi
Publisher : Pakistan Study Centre, University of Karachi
Pages : 241
Price : Rs 400/-
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