It was well after turning 60 that writer K. Muhammed Hashim, better known among the literary circles in Malabar by his penname ‘Hafsa’, learned to key in Malayalam letters on his computer. He had already completed a few chapters of his latest work ‘Oru Athisundariyude Katha’ using the time tested tool — pen and paper.
His earlier works include the fairly acclaimed ‘Ma,’ a fiction he completed while working as a postmaster in Agatti Island. It had also won him the M.P. Paul Award in 1979.
Hafsa was quite active before he was diagnosed with prostrate cancer two years ago. It was then he learned to use computer with the help of his eldest son. With a “boyish enthusiasm” Hafsa quickly picked up the nuances of using the Malayalam software, all the while undergoing treatment for his illness.
“He is in a hurry because he knows that he has to complete many more works for which he had already done the groundwork,” said P.K. Harshad, his son.
Imaginary locale‘Oru Athisundariyude Katha’ is a work of fiction with supernatural characters and mystical experiences encountered by ordinary people in an imaginary locale — Kambathur. According to K.T. Haneef, who wrote the publisher’s note, the work is one with several layers of mysticism and existential angst. “In a way, it’s written with his own blood,” says Mr. Haneef.
Drawing comparison with the works of Punathil Kunhabdulla, Vaikom Muhammed Basheer, and U.A. Khader, Calicut University associate professor for Kerala Studies Umar Tharamel, in his preface says: “… only people with a little bit of myth and mysticism in their mind need to read this book.”
‘Oru Athisundariyude Katha’, published by Vicharam Books, Thrissur, will be released at Hafsa’s residence at Cheruvatta, near Moozhikkal, in Kozhikode on Wednesday evening. Writer P.K. Parakkadavu will release the book in the presence Hafsa and a few of his close friends.
