Going Native: Candid moments

Noted Hindi writer Prem Kumar’s latest book of interviews goes beyond the platitudes and unmasks some well-concealed truths about its eminent subjects

October 16, 2014 05:41 pm | Updated May 23, 2016 07:36 pm IST

Pakistani writer Intizar Husain in New Delhi. Photo: Anu Pushkarna

Pakistani writer Intizar Husain in New Delhi. Photo: Anu Pushkarna

Much ink has been expended order artistic elegance and aesthetic sensibility of Faiz but one can still look for some texts that may introduce the reader to his unflinching commitment to humanity and sensitive political consciousness. Eminent Hindi writer Prem Kumar’s latest book of interviews “Conversation Beyond Border” (Guftugu:Sarhodon Ke Par) is braced for imparting many significant pieces of information related to Faiz not known in literary, social and political circles of the subcontinent. It is revealed that Faiz, the then editor of the Pakistan Times, came all the way from Lahore to attend the last rites of Mahatma Gandhi. Faiz also wrote a strongly worded editorial against the fundamentalist. To glean up little known aspects of Faiz, Prem Kumar talked to Faiz’s up eldest daughter Saleema Hashmi during her visit to India.

In an informal conversation Saleema uncovers a fascinating tale of Faiz’s immediate and ultimate concern. In a political system that harped on extremism, Faiz saw a glimmer of hope in Pakistani women. “Women are incorruptible and Pakistan’s future is tied to them,” Faiz opined time and again. According to him man means a never-ending process of self-discovery.

The book deals with life and creative concerns of the writers of five countries – India, Australia, Iran, Pakistan and the US. The appraisal of seven writers, Rahi Masoom Raza (India), Andréa Weber, (Australia), Ali Mohammad Mozzani (Iran) Faiz, Ahmad Faraz, Intizar Hussain (Pakistan) and Muneebur Rehman (USA)) was done in the backdrop of face-to-face interview but the personality of Rahi and Faiz was revealed through exhaustive interviews with Naiyar Rahi (wife of Rahi) and Saleema Hashmi (the eldest daughter of Faiz). The interviewer Prem Kumar, an accomplished story writer , quickly spins many yarns that draw the reader into the fascinating yet poignant lives of the widely-admired writers.

Well-known Australian fiction writer and film producer Andréa Weber makes it clear that hate was the most invidious for writer and he could only hold concepts in abomination. Fear is a powerful negative phenomenon. Replying to an incisive question on what makes literature, Weber describes adjectives the biggest foe of good writing. Turning attention to TV, Weber says he never watches talk shows and soap operas as they are unfailingly pretentious and contrived. They only create an illusion of infotainment, they make me cry. “I always feel mocking at the nationalist, Naxalites, politicians, self-righteous people and arrogant actors. I never held any politician in awe, no matter now popular or powerful he is,” he candidly admits.

With his incisive questions related to the much talked about arrogance of Ahmad Faraz, Prem Kumar throws the celebrated Pakistani poet off for a while and then he makes a frank confession. “I have done nothing in my life that could make me proud, it includes my much talked about poetry. Yes, I have done some good work for which I cannot perk myself.” On the political scenario of the subcontinent, Faraz says that Indians, including Muslims hold their head high as the threat of disintegration of the country does loom large over India but in Pakistan it is a real threat. “The term refugee has become redundant in India but in Pakistan it still exists and it continues to breed separatism and violence.”

Eminent Iranian author Ali Mohammad Moazzani makes a candid difference between religious and orthodox. For him Iranians are religious, not orthodox. They love their religion but they do not hate other religions. “Our age-old civilization does not make us hateful to others.” On Prem Kumar’s specific question on women’s rights, Mozzami replies they are provided with equal rights. “They prefer veil but they are fully aware of what they are up to. They can get themselves fully recognized by the outside world.”

Talking to cultural and literary affinity between two countries, Mozzani say that Firdausi drew liberally from Mahabharat and other Indian epics.

Famous Pakistan fiction writer Intizar Husain who was short listed for Man Booker Prize last year, visited his native town Debai, twice, near Aligarh and on both occasions, Prem Kumar accompanied him. His journey tries to loosen the most inextricable emotional knot of nostalgia – visiting one’s home after four decades. The author highlights Intizar’s almost infantile refusal to enter the house which he longed for years. The journey becomes an untold tale of self-discovery. The description jumps from one memory to the other, and betrays many big and revelatory moments of Intizar. It does provoke some rolling of the eyes. Visiting an old temple, Intizar remembered Deepawali fully and said, “Had I not stolen candles and lamps of Deepawali, I would not have become a writer.”

Naiyar Rahi, wife of Rahi Masoom Raza informs that despite having been in great demand, Rahi was not prone to tantrums. Unlike well known script writers, Rahi never asked for a room in a five star hotel for writing a script, he always wrote scripts in the four walls of home. He used to enjoy music and talking with children while writing. He was a true liberal and for him conversion was an act of extreme abhorrence that is why he made it clear to his son noted musician Nadeem not to get singer Parvati converted.

Muneebur Rehman, US-based Indian poet and scholar in his fairly long interview makes a perceptive comparison between Indian and American literature. “If sermon finds its way in the writings, literature loses its value. Writers hardly write for changing or reforming the world,” he concludes.

The interviews are rendered in elegant and readable prose and betray Prem Kumar’s excellence in the craft of interviewing. There are multi-fold narratives interwoven in the book and he must be congratulated for conducting interviews that cannot be forgotten.

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