Muslim Saleem: An analysis
By Dr. Shahzad A. Rizvi, Washington
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(Dr. Shahazad A.Rizvi is a Washington-based
writer. He was born to Syed Nashtar Khairabadi, illustrious son of Hazrat Muztar
Khairabadi, in Gwalior. He entered Hamidia
College, Bhopal, in 1953 and received M.A. in English
Literature in 1960. In 1964 he received M.A. in English from AMU. The same year
he left for the United
States and studied there for many years
receiving two more MAs and PH.D. In addition, he takes courses Oxford,
London, and France. In 1971 he became a
professor in Washington D.C. and taught there for many years. During
this period he had a chance to be an interpreter for the President of the United States.
Currently Dr. Shahzad Rizvi is a writer and a poet in English and his following
books are published as e-books: 1. The Last Resident, 2 Behind the Veil, 3. The
Story of a Finnish Woman, 4. Collection of stories for grown-ups, 5. Stories
for children. One can find them and download them at: www.kahany.org)
Muslim Saleem belongs to the
generation of people who were born shortly after the independence of India and
grew up as this independent nation grew and became a big power on the world
scene Creation of Pakistan, two-nation theory, "communal politics,"
separate existence of Hindus and Muslims,
was never part of ethos of this generation. This generation was
basically caught up in soul-searching, ascertaining its identity - where it
fitted in the scheme of things - what role it could play as the twentieth
century was whizzing by and the twenty-first was knocking at the door. For this
generation national and international issues of great magnitude loomed larger
on the firmament of their psyche than the petty and inane diurnal issues.
While the new wind blew in the
post-independent India shaping the young minds - Muslim Saleem, who was getting
his education at Aligarh Muslim University and Allahbad University, honing his
prowess in Arabic, Persian, Hindi, English, and, of course Urdu, and
understanding the new dynamics - was among them. As the new waves co-opted
Muslim Saleem in its objectives and the ambitious goals it set for itself,
Muslim Saleem co-opted the new waves for his personal agenda - how he could use
language and literature in the service of mankind.
It is often said that literature
holds mirror to the society; i.e., literature is the medium through which we
familiarise ourselves with multifarious elements and forces and currents of our
society. And now the question arises whether we should just passively subject
ourselves to the whims of literature or put it to our service as a visionary.
Muslim Saleem chose the later route as is reflected in his writings published
in a host of Urdu periodicals including Shair, Ahang, Asri Adab, Agai, Naya
Daur, Sada-E-Urdu etc. Unfortunately because of the constraint of time and
space I cannot delineate my point by giving examples from his specific writings
in detail.
As is exuded by the writings and
life-work of Muslim. Saleem that Urdu language is not a property of holders of
one religion or the other. He truly believes that the domain of Urdu cuts
across communal and religious lines. If anything is the true creation of
Hindu-Muslim unity is the creation of Urdu language. Urdu has Hindi grammar and
syntax, Persian script, and a literature which is the true SANGAM or meeting of
rich Hindu and Muslim religions. In my view the analysis of Muslim Saleem's work
reveals this belief. If his career is not an example of this view, what else
can be? He is the only journalist known to us who writes in Urdu, Hindi, and
English and moves seamlessly and effortlessly from one linguistic zone to
another. He began his career in Aftab-e-Jadid, Bhopal in Urdu and now he has moved to leading
English newspaper Hindustan Times as Chief Copy Editor..
Muslim Saleem is doing yeoman's
service in the cause of Urdu: he has prepared directories of Urdu writers and
poets, who are currently spread all around the world. If it were not for him
and his indefatigable efforts, many Urdu litterateurs would have been working
obscurely and anonymously in the literary vignettes scattered around the world
unknown to each other. In this area, in my view, his service to Urdu - a real
sister of Hindi - is unparalleled and can place him with
Baba-e-Urdu – Maulvi Abdul Haq.
THREE GREAT COUPLETS (ASH’AAR) OF MUSLIM SALEEM
kaun hai is shahr mein mujh se zyaada
baakhabar
mujh ko saare bewafaaonke patey
maloom hain
Literal translation: "Who is more well-informed than me in the
city? I know the addresses of all the faithless."
Analysis: In this couplet Muslim. Saleem is saying that I am
familiar not only what good things this life and this world has in store for us
but, also, all the difficulties, obstacles, and challenges we have to face.
Taqdeer ki mujh se yunhi takraar chalegi
Main saae mein baithoongaa to deewar chale gi
Literal translation: "My destiny and I will be so loggerheads
with each other that my shelter would move away as soon as I would sit down and
find refuge from the sweltering sun."
Commentary: Though Muslim Saleem approaches this issue of destiny
from totally a new and fresh angle, though this is an age-old issue and other
poets and philosophers have dealt with for a millenia. Allama Iqbal has touched
it along with the issue of SELF; he has asked his fellow human beings to raise
the level of self to such a point that before each destiny is ordained, God
asks his creation, the human being, as to what his pleasure
is. Mr. Saleem is saying in his
couplet that arguments between him and destiny go on; he wants it to do one
thing and the destiny in its stubbornness does something else; it continues to
be a source of grief for him and for other human beings. And this state of
affairs is not going to change till human life on this planet is intact.
Deo qaamat wo shjar jab tez aandhi mein gira
pasta-qad jitne they paudey sad qad-aawar ho gaye
Literal translation: "When that tall tree fell as a result of
heavy wind, all small trees became huge."
Commentary: I can say with some confidence that it is a truism that
only a poet knows what he is trying to say in his couplet. I believe what Mr.
Saleem is saying that vagaries of life can bring down the strongest person from
his lofty position. At the same time the lowly and the weak can rise to the
occasion and achieve as high a position as others held, and and kept them
overshadowed.
