“Khush Bashian” by Yousaf Alamgirian

(Dr. Hammad Ashraf , Lahore)

When first the name of writer is listened to, it sounds a little unusual and when book is opened, the work is found unusual too. Yousaf Alamgirian has craved some word sketches of some literary people, almost all being the heroes of literature. Probably he is of the idea that the climax of the scene is always when hero is attacked. But Yousaf unexpectedly, does no harm to literary heroes, making his work unusual. He has unique style of writing as it takes along the person upstairs and some times throws him down from the last floor but catching delicately before that hit the ground. He specializes in this and takes pride.

He hits a target with rod wrapped in soft petals, so the target does not feel pain, rather enjoys himself along with the writer as well as reader.

In the words of Dr Inam ul Haq Javed “sketch writing of present era can be divided in to three types. One in which Makhkook ( the sketched person ) hides not only himself but the sketch as well, second the Makhkook thinks about distributing the photocopies of Khaka after reading it and third which are read by none except the writer , Yousaf belongs to second group”.

Dr Javed is not wrong as no word about any one is ridiculous – thing that is quite possible and acceptable in humour. But Yousaf has proved that a quality humour is possible with out the crutches of irony. Neither Yousaf has taken help of “jugat” (cheap satire) which is very common these days. He has not mentioned any thing in a person, not present in him. He has not gone personal with any one .Rather most of his work is about the subject’s work, which is known to most, hence making his work understandable. He has not written those personal experiences which are not possible to be verified and were immoral; mean nothing to the readers – again an unusual thing.

The book starts with few lines about it self by Atta Ul Haq Qasmi and Dr Ajmal Niazi and the interesting point is that both of them are there in the list of his targets. Dr Ajmal mentions that he liked the sketch written about him. With every “word–toon” by Yousaf , worth seeing Cartoons (caricatures) by Tooba Younis are also there in this book- not adding to its beauty but multiplying. Title by Mr Waris is unbelievably smart. It would be injustice if the quality of printing is not mentioned. It proves that Fine Publications managed it really in a fine way.

Yousaf,s canvas has got the honour of presence of the names of Urdu literature legends i.e Ashfaq Ahmed , Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi , Mushtaq Yousafi etc , and probably few names have been honoured by ensuring their presence in the same list . Khush Bashian could be considered a good addition in the row of humorous books as it not only reflects mature style of the writer but has successfully captured literary circle’s attention. It certainly has an attraction for serious readers of Urdu literature especially interested in humour. Prolific writers like Aapa Bano Qudsia and Mustanser Hussain Tarar have appreciated “Khush Bashian” in their letters written to Yousaf Alamgirian and have termed the book a good addition in Urdu literature. No doubt with a different school of thought, this book has become an “Alamgirian” ….. And the writer is already “Alamgirian” ….you know?

The first piece of the book is on Ashfaq Ahmad. The book narrates some interesting incidents of Ashfaq Ahmad loaded with satire and humour. The book has revealed that Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi never broke any one's heart. Even if a third class writer or poet approached him, he would always appreciate and write a preface full of encouragement.

A chapter on Ataul Haq Qasi reveals that in his childhood he and his friends pelted stones on a running bus and injured many commuters. The driver stopped the bus and punished the children. Qasmi was fortunate to escape punishment with the favour of a friend of his father. But later the • complaint reached Qasmi's father and he was severely punished.

Bushra Rahman started writing in her teens, the book tells. She taught Urdu literature to post graduate students while she was graduating. She read 'Alipur ka Alley in an age when kids read 'yasrul quran'.

In his childhood, Mustansar Hussain Tarar was kidnapped and was being taken to another city by train. A commuter of the train recognized the child and took him back to his father, reveals Alamgirian.
Prominent columnist Atau Haq Qasmi said that he had been admiring Alamgirian,s prose for a long time. 'His witty sentences make a reader smile and feel relaxed', he added. Qasmi admitted that the sketches written by Yousaf Alamgirian were brief as well as simple. . The writing is so fluent that the reader feels like completing the book in one sitting.

However, the book is a gift for those who want to know more about Urdu literature and its pillars. It is indeed a valuable addition on the subject.

Dr. Hammad Ashraf
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