"Adhura Khel": A brilliant continuation of children's literature and a tribute to Ishtiaq Ahmed
Observer ✍️ Daniyal Hasan Chaghatai
Whenever the history of Urdu children's literature is compiled with full integrity and impartiality, the name of Abdul Rasheed Farooqi will be written in golden letters. He has been writing for children for a long time and his personality and penmanship needs no introduction to anyone interested in the world of children's literature. Despite being a huge, respected and authoritative name in children's literature, his defining characteristic is his innocence and humility. He never tried to promote himself, flaunt fame or drum up publicity. Even if they do so or want to acknowledge their services publicly, no one can object because their work is fully entitled to it. But perhaps self-expression is not a part of their physical structure and personality. They are continuing their work with great silence, integrity and hard work, remaining behind the scenes.
Keeping in view the contemporary demands, especially the growing attachment of children to the world of digital media and screens, they have recently launched a website for children. This development is proof that they are well aware of the changing mood and technological requirements of the modern era.
A few days ago Rakim received two books from Farooqui Sahib: "Captain Ji" and "Adhura Khel". I had already commented on "Captain Ji" in detail and now when I got a chance to read "Adhura Khel" I was very happy. Abdul Rasheed Farooqi himself now writes relatively little, but there was a time when he used to write with regularity and continuity in a well-known children's weekly fast run by the late Ishtiaq Ahmed, the great name of Urdu detective literature.
It is a bitter truth that now the quality and prestige of this seven-day fast is no longer what it used to be during the era of Ishtiaq Sahib, nor now are good and well-practiced writers preferring to write in it.
The book under comment "Adhura Khel" is actually the novel number one of "Inspector Junaid Series". On hearing this name, the image of the timeless "Inspector Jamshed Series" created by the late Ishtiaq Ahmed revolves in front of the eyes. Farooqui Sahib has completely adapted this novel in the same trademark and traditional style.
Although it is a mini-special number of only two hundred pages, the suspense, suspense, and interest graph is maintained in the same manner as Ishtiaq Ahmed used to maintain in his novels. From the first page to the last page, it is impossible to break free from the grip of the story.
There have been attempts to adopt Ishtiaq Ahmed's style of writing and advance it even before. I had earlier read some novels by Imad Hasan, who also successfully tried to carry forward Ishtiaq Sahib's style in a very beautiful way. Of course, Ishtiaq Ahmed Sahib's literary position and status is permanent and unshakeable. This place cannot be taken away or replaced by anyone. But keeping his writing style alive and presenting it to the new generation is a commendable step.
In the present age, which is the age of artificial intelligence, scientific inventions and modern technology, some people seem to be novelists who are nothing but a ridiculous act. However, there is a dire need for such detective novels of the past to be written. Whenever a new novel is written in Ishtiaq Sahib's style of writing and his familiar style, his old and new fans will not only read it but also love it with open heart.
The popularity of Ishtiaq Ahmed can be estimated from the fact that even today when book fairs are held in any corner of the country, the most sold books are by this man Qalandar. This is a fact that cannot be denied.
The novel "Adhura Khel" has been started by Farooqui Sahib with the title "Hamoud, Farooq, Farhana and Inspector Junaid Series". The beginning of the book is done in the very traditional style that used to be the specialty of Ishtiaq Ahmed. Even the book has been attributed to him, which is proof of Farooqui Sahib's character and his love.
However, Farooqui has made a small innovation or change:
As usual, Ishtiaq used to write "two things" at the beginning of the novel, which was in a way a direct conversation from the author to the reader and a brief summary or background of the novel. Farooqui Sahib has replaced it with "Meri Baat" in his own style. After this change, the novel begins regularly with the same memorable lines and dialogue style. After that, words flow from word to word, dot to dot is connected and the reader becomes entangled in the fabric of the story.
In terms of characterization, the novel presents a wide and varied canvas. It features old and familiar characters as well as some new ones:
Begum Junaid and Begum Shirazi's homely and compassionate environment,
Ikram, Gami and Khan Rehman's distinct identity and dynamic presence, Muhammad Hussain Azad, Shazi, Parvez Akhtar, and Khurram, among many other characters are included in the novel.
All these characters, living in their own positive and negative spheres, form the plot of the story and advance the fabric of the novel. The story finally ends at the same traditional logical conclusion, as Ishtiaq Sahib used to connect one link to another, unraveling the knot of confusion and eventually the criminal ended up in the clutches of the law and the prison.
The main and central theme of the novel "Adhura Khel" is not a fictitious sensational story, but it is related to the real geopolitical situation of our beloved country and the nefarious conspiracies of the neighboring country.
If we look at the decade from 2010 to 2020, Pakistan has seen a bloody and worst period of terrorism, bomb blasts and suicide attacks. In this dark period where our traditional rival country was openly involved in sabotage, sometimes the intelligence agencies and interests of the neighboring Islamic countries were also part of this conspiracy.
Farooqi Sahib has weaved the fabric of his novel around this sensitive and serious reality. The novel points out the painful and bitter reality that whenever there is a major incident, bomb blast or sabotage plot in the country, it is not possible for the foreign powers to carry out such actions unless there are some traitorous and corrupt elements within.
But at the same time, the novel also gives a positive and optimistic message that if our law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies and police are determined and want to get to the bottom, it is not a difficult task to expose these criminals and conspiratorial elements.
Even today in our province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and interior of Sindh, we often face similar security challenges and external conspiracies. As a patriotic citizen, this prayer comes from the heart that Allah Ta'ala always keeps our beloved homeland Pakistan safe and secure from all internal and external conspiracies, evil eye of enemies, and sabotage. Amen.
At the end of the novel, Abdul Rasheed Farooqui has skillfully preserved another very popular and beloved tradition of the late Ishtiaq Ahmed. Ishtiaq Sahib used to give a short, suspenseful glimpse of the next novel on the last page of each of his novels to keep the readers interested.
Similarly, at the end of "Adhura Khel" Farooqui Sahib has given a glimpse of the next novel, which is named as "Jani".
Now it is not known whether this novel "Jani" has come to the public scene with its embellishment or this series has stopped at this point, but this effort itself is a very beautiful, sincere and successful attempt to pay tribute to the greatness of Ishtiaq Ahmed.
This novel is a rare gift for all readers who are fond of detective literature and especially children's literature, who have spent time in the fascinating world of Ishtiaq Ahmed's novels in their childhood or youth. I myself have read more or less 40 to 50 novels of Ishtiaq Sahib during my studies, so reading this novel proved to be an echo of good memories of the past and a very pleasant experience for me.
In today's era, some people or critics criticize or belittle the creation of such novels as imitation or repetition of old things. But if we want to bring modern demands, discoveries of science and technology, artificial intelligence, modern detective science to the young generation and children, then it is imperative to keep this style of writing alive and adapt with time. This method is the most effective way to inculcate interest in learning in children.
I am deeply grateful to Mr. Abdul Rasheed Farooqui for sending such excellent and sophisticated books as a gift. May Allah Ta'ala accept their efforts, bless their writing skills and give them good rewards.