THE BEWILDERED MAN OF TODAY

By Col. Ghulam Sarwar.SI (M)

 

Sultan Jamil Nasim is a well known name in the domain of fiction writing.  He has been contributing short stories for the past thirty years to prestigious magazines such as: Seep, Auraq, Nai Qadrain, Afkar, Adab-e-Lateef, Alfaz, Mah-e-Nau, Rabita, etc.  The volume under review contains twenty six such stories.  Most of these stories have already been published in the magazines listed above.

                        Sultan Jamil Nasim casts his shadow over the present day scene.  Around the singular situation represented by his twofold heritage, by the refinement of his perception, and by his tireless quest for elucidation, he creates an aesthetic of fiction.  While this aesthetic does not exclude accommodation of existing concepts, it asserts itself with sufficient strength to justify his affiliation with the pioneers in the field.  Undoubtedly, his influence on the general evolution of this genre assures him a place in Urdu fiction.  Sultan Jamil Nasim is fully conscious of the new trends in fiction writing, which have broken the trend in which it had be hitherto confined.  However, he avoids going to the extremes; while he willingly accepts modern concepts of our fiction, he does not denigrate the old ones.  He believes in a sense of propriety and balance.

            Jamil Nasim’s feverish ardour and his quivering sensitivity give his stories a touch of genuine authenticity.  The interest of the reader is maintained to the end and his not lost in the labyrinths of abstract fantasies and elusive metaphors.  He considers the short story as a planned birth with an eye on the aesthetic creation.  He strives for equilibrium and a harmony from which beauty must emerge of its own accord.  He is fully conscious that this is only possible when the story is well-wrought.  For this no hard patterns and no absolute principles are required.  All that is required are wide open windows in the universe in order to construct a fictional world true to reality.  Sultan Jamil Nasim has gained mastery in this art.  His stories “Khoya Hua Admi”, “Ghar Ka Rasta”, “Mutthi Bhar Roshni” and “Aaseb” are true representatives of his thinking.

            He observes human passions not only with remarkable acuteness but also with such obvious detachment that one may receive an impression of youthful mistrust making its way into a domain which the intellect alone has chosen to experience.  Perfectly clear sighted, detached and impartial, he shuns advocacy no less than lamentation and recrimination.  The world he re-creates is our own world: solid, real and undeniable.

            Some of his stories are built around a sort of postulates that require them to be read with a discerning eye; but they are written with such skill, such moral scrupulousness, and such dialectical ingenuity that one receives an impression of having to deal with subtle ideas and thoughts.  Examples include “Aab Deeda”, “Bechahra Awaren”, “Generation Gap” and “Khwabon Ka Safar”.

            The world fashioned by Jamil Nasim is coherent.  One might even say that despite craftsmanship, refinement of form and careful ornamentation, it is relatively simple.  His contribution to the Urdu fiction is quite noteworthy.  His work possesses such elasticity and such an abundance of creative power, that one is not really surprised by his notoriety.  By and large, he is meticulous and robust.

            One of the chief characteristics of Sultan Jamil Nasim’s work is his lack of pretentiousness.  His basic realism and a dramatic flair as well as a desire for formal organization enables him as an artist to steer clear of those summary and unduly synthetic structures.  On the contrary, keen perception has produced a book whose apparent ease conceals an exacting craftsmanship.

            He can elaborate a plot, give his readers probability, and take the reader on an adventure.  His artful manipulation, his superb narrative talent, the fluid verisimilitude of the movements of the souls and hearts of his characters, has rightly earned him enthusiastic admiration.

            In short, Sultan Jamil Nasim has revealed as a story writer the cohesion and breadth of talent which has already built his great reputation.  Perfection of form and acuteness of dialogue emphasizes keenness of observation.  Also, it displays the vigour of his judgment.