By Shafique Ahmed Shafique
Book’s Name:Bahr-e- Khoon
Author’s name:Kawish Umer
Compiler:Yousuf Raahi Chatgami,
Publishers:Rabita Priters, 2nd Flr, Plot 71/C, 24Th Commercial Street,Tauheed Commercial Area, Phase 5,DHAKarachi.
Pages :217
Price:Rs. 200/-
Kawish Umer was one of the most senior poets, writers as well as journalists of Pakistan. Born in Bihar, India in 1939 his family name was Muhammed Mushtaq Alam but adopted pseudonym as Kawish Umer. His father’s name was Maulana Muhammed Umer Faizi, he was also a poet. Kawish started composing Urdu poetry in 1950 at the age of 11.
He was degree holder of “Adeeb Urdu and Persian.” He worked as the In-charge of literary page of the daily “Pasban” Dhaka and remained editor of five weeklies and monthlies magazines in different time which were coming out from Chittagong, former East Pakistan. Kawish Umer was at home in Persian language too. He also created Ghazals and poetry in Persian.
But his main field and way of expression was Urdu poetry and prose. He was also a good teacher and in several schools of Chittagong and Karachi. Being a senior penman he would have been author of a lot of books of poetry and prose but unfortunately he has only two books including this book to his credit. The first one is “Sar-wo-Saman” and second one is “Bahr-e- Khoon” both are books of poetry.
Kawish has created a nice of his own decorating of words in ghazals and poems. He had a unique and pleasant capacity of using perfect words, beautiful metaphors and pretty similes. He feeling his this ability he claims:
میں اپنے عہد میں اپنی روش کا شاعر ہوں
مری زباں پہ لغت شاعری میں ڈھلتی ہے
“I am a poet of my own style, what language I use in poetry is evident that dictionary is being shaped in it. “ The book under discussion represents and highlights the acts of treason, hypocrisy, conspiracy, atrocities, raping, looting and kidnapping which happening freely by the extremist Bengalis traitor of Pakistan before and after the establishment of Bangladesh.
Muslim and Hindu Bengalis were revenging against Pakistan Government and Pak Army to target Urdu Speaking population of East Pakistan. The author of this book rightly stated and admitted that on 25 March by the order of Gen Yahya, Pak Army had come for the rescue of Non-Bengalis and stopped the all kinds of atrocities, barbarism and inhuman acts of Bengali miscreants.
The army not only saved the Non-Bengalis from the clutches of merciless traitors but also protected the important government places and offices such as TV, Radio, Railway stations, airport, SC Bldg etc. The army also protected those Bengalis from the barbarism of traitors and extremist who were loyal and supporters of Pakistan. Whatever Kawish Umer written in poems and verses are excellent in view of art and literature and undeniable facts of Pak Army’s sacrificial services, non-parallel braveries, exemplary patriotism and love of humanities in East Pakistan.
There are write-ups of Yousuf Raahi Chatgami, Nusrat Mirza and Kawish Umer along with an essay under the title of “Gher Ki Gawahi” which was published in the daily “Ummat” on June 18, 2011 related to the subject matters of book “Bahr-e- Khoon”. These articles are very much impressive and unbiased. There is also an appreciative letter sent by Captain Azher Iqbal, Director, on behalf of Directorate Naval Education Services and Chief of The Naval Staff, Janab Admiral Noman Bashir Naval HQ, Islamabad along with a cheque of Rs 10,000 as an Honorarium for the author Mr Kawish Umer for his selfless services.