In “Love In The Time of Hate – In The Mirror of Urdu,” Rakhshanda Jalil presents an essential collection of verses reflecting optimism amidst communal turbulence, offering a beacon of hope in our challenging times. This collection underscores the enduring power of poetry and unity, and highlights the poets’ quest for bonding and togetherness. A book review by Humra Quraishi
An absolutely relevant volume in the communally surcharged, dark and turbulent times we are living in…nay, surviving in. Perhaps, the relevance emerges from the fact that this volume holds out verses relaying a certain level of hope amidst all the gloom and despair.
To quote author Rakhshanda Jalil: “ In Urdu, the poet has constantly been the voice of optimism and hope, pointing towards a better future. When the country emerged from a bitter fratricidal war, licking the wounds inflicted by brother-upon-brother, neighbour-upon- neighbour, Majaz wrote: Hindu Muslim Sikh Eesai aman ke moti ro lengey/Khoon ki Holi khel chukey hain rang kei dhabbe dho lengey / (Hindu Muslim Sikh and Christian shall weep pearls of peace /Having played Holi with blood, they’ll wash off the coloured stains.)
This volume is loaded with verse after verse. Broadly divided into four sections: politics, people, passions and places; the common factor seemingly unchanged. And that is, the poets’ earnest quest and call and urge for that bonding and togetherness.
Anand Narain Mulla’s verse: Main faqat insaan huun Hindu Musalmaan kuchh nahin/Mere dil ka dard mein tafreeq-e-eemaan kuchh nahiin (I’m only a human; not a Hindu or a Musalman /The sorrow in my heart is not separated by dogma.)
Also this verse of Qateel Shifai: Humko aapas mein mohabbat nahin karne detey/Ik yahi aib hai iss shahr ke danaon mein (They do not let us love each other / That is the only defect in the wise of this city.)
Leaving you with these two verses from the very last page of this volume: Jigar Moradabadi’s: “Naya zamana banane chale thhey deewaaney/Nai zameen naya aasman bana nahin sakey ( The foolish folk had set out to make a new world/ But they could not make a new earth and a new sky.)
Then then there’s this verse of Ajmal Sultanpuri: Musalmaan aur Hindu ki jaan/ Kahaan hai mera Hindostan/Main usko dhundh raha hoon/ (The life of Muslims and Hindus/ Where is my India?/ I am searching for it. )
I’m tempted to quote many more verses but quite obviously space constraints do come in way. Before I end, I must mention that the big factor to this volume is author Rakhshanda’s prose which lies tucked in, along with the verses. Her comments and commentary are of much significance as she offloads much on the current scenario prevailing in the country.
BOOK – REVIEW
Title of the book – Love In The Time of Hate – In The Mirror of Urdu
Author – Rakhshanda Jalil
Publisher – Simon & Schuster India
Price –Rs 699
Pages – 427
