By Shafique Ahmed Shafique
Nambe of Book :Raushni Chahiye (Collection of Short stories)
Author:Prof. Shahnaz Perveen
Publishers:Rang-e-Adab Publications, Urdu Bazar, Karachi.
Pages:160
Price:Rs. 500/-
An educationist, seasoned writer and researcher Prof. Shahnaz Perveen having three books to her credit adds another new book to her literary account. Her new publications have come out under the title of “Raushni Chahiye”. The book is a collection of 20 short stories and six mini-short stories.
Most of the stories have published in several literary magazines and got appreciations by the readers, writers and critics. Her first book was “Sannata Bolta Hai” (silent speaks) and the name of second book was “Aankh Samunder” (The eye Ocean). These two books have already been applauded by the critics, writers and readers.
She has remarkable literary background. Her mother a poets having a poetic collection which published under the title of “Khaaboon Kay Weeranay” (The Desolates of dreams). The late Ejazul haque Ejaz, her brother, has also an anthology of poety “Lahr Lhr Piyass” (Thirst in every wave) to his credit.
Her younger sister is also an essayist and short story writer. Prof. shahnaz got tht very environment fromher childhood, which cultivated her real eagerness of writing, literary conscientious, aesthetic sense, well manners and well as real educative taste in her personage.
Vast studies of Urdu and other foreign literatures have created freshness f feelings, variety of ideas, depth of thoughts as well as capacious imaginations in her personality. She is a serious spectator of society and never takes any event unconsciously, she tries to go into the depth of season after reason.
Her short stories such as “Raushni Chahiye Zindagi kay Liye”, ”Apna Apna Qafas”, “Else, Wonderland May”, Paspaee”, “Bazi Ger”, Phir Hua Ye”,”Justoojo Kia Hai”, “Khush Boo Ki Tlash”, ”do Naina Mat Khaiyo” and “Kam Bakhat” Zalim Aurat” may be referred in this connection. These pieces are very vivid examples of my opinions.
These are witnessing by themselves that the author of the book “Raushni Chahiye” has well capacity of observing her surroundings and can pick up materials for fictionalize them.
Her story “Raushni Chahiye Zindagi Kay Liye” which is the title story of the book is written very minutely and tis texture is also wofed artistically. It is a story of four pages but thas four thousand stories in its lines and between the lines. It is mirroring the sour realities or our socio-politics, socio-culture, educational environment, terrorism, killings of innocent students, growing power of those who are the enemies of literacy and helplessness of concerned sectors and their attitudes.
It is also pinpointing the environment of rear of women, children grievances whose faithfulness, innocent spirit of love and affection are ruthlessly being smashed. The prevailing endless mental torture and deceiving behavior of the champions of anti-peace and love are making the whole society totally shattered.
Being a seasoned and sensitive female writer has very keenly felt the issues of her gender not only she has felft but has mirrored them vividly and smartly. In this connection, her above referred two short stories “Apna Apna Qafas” and “Kambakht Aurat” may be referred here.
Helplessness of woman folk, their torment, grieved situations and cunningness of male have been well expressed. She has very finely pinpointed about the mentality, self-conceit, way of thinking, self-praising, mimic and self-deceiving attitudes of those Pakistanis who are living in US, UK, Germany and other Western countries. The second story of the book under review is an undeniable example of these fact.
The book “Raushni Chahiye”, no doubt, is an valuable addition to the short fiction world of Urdu literature.