Dr. Reyaz Tawheedi Kashmiri: The Maestro of Urdu Fiction and Criticism

"Critical Panorama"

Dr. Reyaz Tawheedi Kashmiri: The Maestro of Urdu Fiction and Criticism

Dr Basharat Khan

At the mere sight of faces or the mention of names, the verses of Noshi Gilani echo in my mind:

اس شہر میں کتنے چہرے تھے کچھ یاد نہیں  سب بھول گئے

اک شخص کتابوں جیسا تھا وہ شخص زبابی یاد ہوا 

Today, the eminent scholar of Iqbaliyat, a critic, speaker, motivator and a maestro of urdu fiction, Dr.Reyaz Taheedi Kashmiri, Chairperson South Asia Cultural Society of Chicago graces the literary stage.

Hailing from Khurman Wadipora in Handwara, North Kashmir, his educational journey started at Government Degree College Handwara. After completing his schooling, he graduated from Government Degree College in 2000. While continuing his academic pursuits, he obtained M.A., M.Phil, and Ph.D. degrees in Urdu from the University of Kashmir. His noteworthy contributions were acknowledged, and he was honored with the Best Scholar Award, accompanied by a Gold Medal.

In 2008, he secured a position as a lecturer in Urdu after successfully clearing the Public Service Commission. This marked the beginning of his impactful role in higher education.

Stepping into his library a few days ago I felt akin to entering a sanctuary of books. His collection not only comprises commentaries on Hadith and Islamic literature but also encompasses standard literary tomes and essays in Arabic, Urdu, Persian, Kashmiri, and English. The room, with its treasure trove of books brougt on my lips the verse of Jaun Elia

میرے کمرے کو سجانے کی تمنا ہے تمہیں 

میرے کمرے میں کتابوں کے سوا کچھ بھی نہیں 

Dr. Reyaz Taheedi Kashmiri has etched a distinctive mark on the global literary canvas, his creative and critical prowess standing tall in the contemporary panorama. While he bears the mantle of a doctorate in Iqbal Studies, and his inaugural critical opus, "Jahan-e- Iqbal," stands testament and his excellence extends beyond Iqbaliyat, casting him as a luminary in fiction and criticism. 

Five published books, including several editions, and numerous articles gracing esteemed Urdu journals, showcase his dexterity.

Dr. Reyaz  balances adeptly between critique and creation. In the realm of social media, particularly within the rarefied air of international critical and fictional forums on Facebook, one scarcely encounters a gathering where Dr Reyaz is not beckoned as a fiction virtuoso and a critique luminary. 

Moreover, he is a sought-after presence at seminars, having recently graced the International Urdu Conference and a four-day scholarly webinar hosted by the Urdu department at Meerut University.

Dr. Reyaz Taheedi Kashmiri not only nurtures the zeal of the emerging generation but actively engages in refining their written expressions. Laughter, an integral facet of his persona, adorns his countenance.

In this era of cyber tools like Facebook and WhatsApp, pivotal in propelling Urdu language and literature, Dr. Reyaz Taheedi Kashmiri commands global recognition among Urdu communities, seamlessly intertwining online webinars with the cyber realm.Through his fictional and critical compositions, he has ascended to a pinnacle in literary circles. Literary works such as ',' 'Kalay Padoon Ka Jangal, Tajmahal, Goushala, Kalay Dewoon ki wapasy ' and Janat Wali Chabi captivate readers with the enchantment of storytelling, holding them spellbound.

Dr. Reyaz Taheedi Kashmiri, a luminary deeply immersed in the realms of academia, research, artistic creation, and critical discourse, unveils a tapestry of intellectual brilliance through his literary creations and analytical masterpieces.

In a valiant effort to transcend the intellectual stagnation prevailing in Urdu fiction and criticism, Dr.Tawheedi Kashmiri unveiled his inaugural critical opus, Muahsir Urdu Afsana Volume 1 in the year 2018.

In a pragmatic exposition, he sheds light on the essence of a critical perspective in fiction, eloquently expressing, "Fiction, as a creative pursuit leans heavily on imaginative prowess, transcending mere acquisition. Each sentence within a narrative bears profound significance, reminiscent of poetic reliance on inventive language and imagery. 

Similarly, within the realm of storytelling, the quintessence of creativity emanates from the nucleus of imaginative thought." (Muahsir Urdu Afsana, Understanding and Analysis, Volume One, p. 51)

Dr. Reyaz Tawheedi Kashmiri possesses an innate ability to convey profound ideas through eloquent expressions, elevating the reader's intellectual acuity. His stylistic approach encompasses not only intellectual depth but also emotional nuances, where scholarly contemplations, cultural revelations, and philosophical expressions continue to enchant discerning minds. His modus operandi involves a deep dive into the text, supported by evidence, culminating in an analytical discourse on the essence of creation.

His adeptness in conveying meaning through precise language is evident as he navigates the text with a discerning eye, breathing life into the reader's cognitive processes. His literary critiques seamlessly blend intellectual rigor with emotional resonance, crafting a vivid discourse that engages the intellect. 

In a world often overshadowed by adherence to past conventions, Dr. Reyaz Tahweedi Kashmiri's insightful critiques serve as a benchmark, challenging prevailing dogmas. Unfortunately, the prevalence of blind adherence to established doctrines tends to veil concealed truths in new creations, rendering comprehension elusive. This intellectual myopia and bias adversely affect his critical acumen, leading to distortions in intellectual capacity. Consequently, thoughts become entangled, succumbing to biases, resulting in a stagnation of literary quality.

Turning his focus to thematic profundity, Dr. Reyaz Taheedi Kashmiri presents expert analyses, exemplified by critiques on various short stories. Currently, a glimpse into his assessment of Musharaf Alam Zauqi's renowned story Tawareeq Say Paray Ak Duneya Ki Jasoosi reveals:

This short story assumes the mantle of historical fiction, resonating with thematic parallels.The artistic tapestry of its plot weaves through historical events and settings, delving into the socio-political and religious dynamics of contemporary India. Technically, the story unfolds as a historical narrative with a contemporary sensibility, contributing to social discourse.The morphologic structure of the story unfolds a lexical and eventful scenario, presenting a captivating depiction of meticulously crafted elements, considering the contextualization of historical events."

This passage showcases Dr. Reyaz Tawheedi Kashmiri's finesse in delivering profound literary analyses, unveiling the richness of thematic exploration.

During the analysis of the narrative tapestry within the context of the elucidated perspectives, an initial fixation upon the portrayal of characters is judicious.Thereafter, an expedition into the manifold dimensions of the anecdote would prove propitious.The protagonists in this literary tableau are the narrator, an embodiment of the private detective is Asif Sheikh.The narrator's description revolves around presence of these two characters delving into the socio-political and historical milieu. This exploration interlaces these elements with the contemporaneous tapestry of India.

The narrator, ensconced as the storyteller (Narrator) within this narrative, ascends to the position of a historical presenter. A fusion of historical events, woven intricately with the tumultuous circumstances of modern-day India, becomes the narrator's oeuvre. Be it through the medium of flashbacks or historical allusions, the narrator plays an indispensable role in articulating the vibrant panorama of historical epochs. Subsequent to this, another pivotal figure in this literary narrative manifests Asif Sheikh.

Dr. Reyaz Taheedi Kashmiri's critical oeuvre transcends the realm of fiction, extending its ambit to encompass critical treatises and poetic discourse. Several compendia of poetry, ghazals, and verses have undergone his discerning analysis. An exemplar of his analytical prowess surfaces in the critical magazine titled "Ajkal 

This essay unfurls an exhaustive exploration into the linguistic, conceptual, and stylistic realms of Rafiq Raz's poetic opus.

Within the domain of fiction analysis, Dr. Reyaz Taheedi Kashmiri adorns the mantle of a contemporary critic, deploying a modern critical lexicon and theory to anatomize the aesthetic and thematic sinews of short stories.

His critiques embody an acute cognizance of both the technical and thematic nuances, bestowing upon readers an enlightened perspective. This critical acumen finds tangible manifestation in his seminal work, Muahsir Urdu Afsana Understanding and Analysis, Volume One," a testament to his prowess in dissecting modern short stories through the prism of contemporary critical theories.

The realm of Dr. Reyaz Tawheedi Kashmiri's fiction is characterized by meticulous craftsmanship and profound profundity. His anthologies, "Kale Padoon Ka Jungle and "Kale Devo Ka Saaya" stand as monuments to his narrative virtuosity.

 Professor Hamidi Kashmiri a luminary critic, extols Tawheedi's narrative authenticity in the foreword to "Kale Devo Ka Saaya," lauding its veracity in portraying pain and suffering. Tawheedi's transformative ability, transmuting actual events into imaginative realms, emerges as the hallmark of his narrative lexicon.

Moreover, Dr.Reyaz Tawheedi Kashmiri's versatility finds expression in his creative forays. His allegiance to constructive tenets, ethical considerations, and the nuanced presentation of divergent facets underscore his distinction. Within his critical essays, a meticulous demarcation between the authentic and the spurious unfolds, underscoring his commitment to ethical criticism.

Dr. Taheedi immerses himself predominantly in the realms of literary criticism and fiction, yet intermittently, he unveils the lyrical tapestry of poetic verses. A splendid instance of his craft is encapsulated in the poem titled "Tell Her That December Has Come."

This poem not only encapsulates the aesthetic sentiments evoked by the arrival of December but also serves as a testament to his poetic artistry. For readers to savor, the poem is presented in Urdu along with its English translation.

نظم

 ۔۔۔۔۔اسے کہنا دسمبر آیا ہے۔۔۔۔۔۔؟

(ڈاکٹر ریاض توحیدی کشمیری) 

اسے کہنا دسمبر آیا ہے

خزاں نے بہار کی خوبصورتی کو

چنارکےزرد پتوں میں دفن کردیا ہے

ان پتوں کی جوانی اب بڑھاپے کی سسکیوں

میں رورہی ہے

اب یہ رونا بھی رفتہ رفتہ دم توڑ دے گا

اور اپنے معشوق کی بے بس ٹہنیوں سے

جدائی کاکرب سہتے سہتے سوکھےپتے

خاک نشین ہوجائیں گے

پھر کون انہیں یاد رکھے گا

اسے کہنا کہ وہ گلشن 

جس کےپھولوں کی خوبصورتی

 دیکھنے والوں کی آنکھوں کو بھی 

خوبصورت بنا دیتی تھی

اور جس کی مہک سانس میں بھی 

خوشبو گھول دیتی تھی

اسے اب اونگھتے بلبل حسرت سے تک رہے ہیں

وہ بلبل جنہوں نے گلشن میں بہار کے نغمے

گائے تھے

جن کی سریلی آواز پر 

تتلیاں پھولوں کے گرد رقص کرتے کرتے

قوس قزح کو بھی شرمندہ کردیتی تھیں

لیکن اب موسم بدلتے ہی نہ جانے وہ تتلیاں

پھولوں کا مذاق اڑا کر کس دیس کو جا بسیں

داستان ہجر سنا کر ذرا غور سے دیکھنا 

کہ ان جھیل سی آنکھوں کا رنگ پیلا پڑ جاتا ہے 

یا کہ نیلا ہی رہتا ہے

اور صبر سے سننا کہ

ان گلابی ہونٹوں سے بھنورے کے شوق میں

آہ نکلتی ہے یا کہ واہ۔۔..؟

(English Translation by Nusrat Awan)

"Tell her that December has come..!"

                             ............ 

Tell her that December has come;

Autumn has buried the beauty of spring..

Under the dry crimson- yellow Chinar leaves;

The youth of these leaves,

Is now wailing in the agony of old age.

Gradually the crying will

Stop ...succumbing to the beloved's helplessness,

Bearing the anguish of separation, 

the dry leaves will turn into dust .

Who will then remember them..?! 

Tell her that the garden, where the beauty of the flowers,

Had once made the eyes of the beholder beautiful;fragrances

And the sweet fragrance

Penetrating into the breath of the beholder.

The sleepy nightingales,

Now stare at the garden with despair.

The same nightingale 

Who had sung the song of spring,

On whose melodious voice, the butterflies would dance around the flowers..

Embarrassing the rainbows with envy..

But now with the changing weather,

Mocking at the flowers,

I have no idea as to

Which new land these butterflies have settled in. 

After telling her the tale of separation, watch deeply into her beautiful blue eyes,

And note whether 

They have turned yellow with sadness or maintained their usual blue color..

And hear with patience,

If the sound from the rosy pink lips, 

On being away from her

lover,

Is a sigh of relief or

A cry in grief..!

In conclusion, Dr. Reyaz Tawheedi Kashmiri's manifold literary contributions, spanning fiction, critique, and poetic analysis, etch his identity as a venerable luminary within the contemporary Urdu literary milieu. His adept navigation through local and global themes, coupled with perspicacious critiques, cements his stature as a vanguard storyteller and critic of the postmodern epoch.

The author is a writer, columnist, critic and blogger. He can be reached at this email.B