Tuesday 26 October 2010

Aur Insaan Zinda Hai




AUR INSAAN ZINDA HAI is a novel by Obaidullah Baig. This novel was first published in 1961 and the second edition was published in 1991 by Times Press (Pvt) Limited. The title of this novel is such tantalizing that it just raises consciousness to a different level of wonderment.

AUR INSAAN ZINDA HAI is a story of man and his struggle in the face of adversity. A man that has his feet on ground but his eyes on the horizon where is writ large his ideals, dreams and a world that is a blissful, purposeful and meaningful place if not a sort of Utopia. But all that collapses on a day of devastation of Basantpur, a village in pre-partitioned India. From a romantic idealist he becomes a savage, a killing machine that has only one program at hand - revenge. The main character of the story Narindra is a symbol of a human sensibility that basically nurtures on Love. He can take defamation, pain and even insult on his self but when confronted with a possibility of pain inflicted on his ideals, dreams and loved ones he throws all pathos, humility, love and utopian thoughts to fire and burn them to ashes and from that ashes rises a new man full of animosity, hatred, revenge and devastates whatever comes his way that justifies revenge rationale.

The story is based on a factual account but beautifully punctuated with necessary craftsmanship which makes this a most interesting and fabulous piece of writing. The language used is flowing like stream and the thoughts that writer inculcates to convey meaning of life are thought provoking and impending.

7 comments:

  1. Good to see you start a blog on Pakistani literature, I want to know and discuss about some literature written after creation of Pakistan and in Pakistan.

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  2. Yes, Peerless we can discuss Pakistan Literature.

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  3. Bravo! It would be lovely if we could discuss the literary masterpieces of Ashfaque Ahmed, Ahmed Nadim Qasmi, and Shahab sahab ( I forgot his full name ). Thanks for putting this up and actually taking the initiative for a platform where pakistani literature could be showcased!

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  4. Thanks Sadia, would certainly discuss literary masterpieces from Pakistan literature.

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  5. i got this book from my late dad as a birthday present... i was quite young at tht time... but even than i realised the depth... very well written

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    1. Yes Taniya this is a very well written novel, one finds it a fascinating and joyful reading throughout.

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