Some lines about Maqsood Hasni
Prof Niamat Ali Abuuzar Barqi Kutab’khana June 2017
Some lines about Maqsood Hasni “Maqsood Hasni was born in 1951, at Islam Pura Tehsil and Distt. Kasur. His father, Syed Ghulam Hazoor Shah, was a Punjabi Sufi poet. He got his early education from his father. He got his master degrees in Urdu, Political Science, Economics and History from the Punjab University. He passed his M.Phil (Urdu) from Allama Iqbal Open University. He got his Doctorate in linguistics from USA Along with this bright academic career; he has a very long and vast career as a journalist. Hundreds of his essays have been published in various journals and newspapers. As a poet, short story writer, humorist, linguistic, critic, researcher, Ghalib expert, Iqbal expert he wrote nineteen books. He tested his mettle in poetry in different languages and dialects (Urdu, English, Punjabi, Gojri, Pothuhari, etc.) He has a long, bright career as an
educationist comprising twenty three years. Researchers’ and Critics’ Views of Maqsood Hasni is counted among those researchers, creative artists and critics who have the trend of breaking traditions with logic and reasoning. His voyage of researches and criticism has been passing through evolution for the last two decades and it involves the changing circumstance and contemporary demands. The angles of his researches and critical thought have been extending. In view of it, not only awareness is gained about the factors and the traditions of research and criticism that has developed in the sub-continent, but help is also obtained in understanding the new models of inter- national researches and criticism along with the modern thought. He has shattered the idols of tradition worshipping and has adopted the trend of evaluating the literary pieces with new references and from different angles which has blessed the literary pieces with respectable status. The attitudes and facts,
with which Maqsood Hasni is linked with respect to his research and critical references, are directly related with social and cultural values. His research and critical approach seem the real reflection of human life, no part or aspect of which is meaningless or absurd. Differences can be made with reference to his research and critical work, but the importance and utility of the bases and aspects, with reference to which he has worked in the field of research and criticism, cannot be denied. He left behind the presumption and commenced his voyage of research keeping in view life and the alive facts. He has falsified the unreal and conceptual aspects, ideas and thoughts. He has presented logical and strong arguments in this regard that cannot be ignored. We cannot keep our eyes off the scenario of modern ideas in which he has evaluated the masterpieces of international writes. In this regard, he has been criticized again and again. But he never compromised on principles and this very fact has blessed his research and critical work with newness
and recognition. As a creative writer, he has tested his mettle in different genre which, along with others, includes short-story writing and poetry especially. His work in these two types needs no introduction. As a poet and short -story writer, he has made the suffering of man the subject of his writing and tried to show the different shades and angles with reference to class distinction. His story-writing and poetry are linked with uncountable directions and aspects of human sense and social and cultural life. His study as a creative writer makes the reader conscious of such a litterature as carry the surging emotions of love and peace in his heart. He wants to see the world as beautiful as it can be. Therefore he looks like a voyager of dreamland who laughs at the deficiencies and inequalities of men keeping in mind the romantic concepts. These things seem opposite to each other but the fact is the same. Along with fantasies, he is attached with the miseries of man. As a literature, his relation never breaks with fantasies
and facts. In short, Maqood Hasni’s English poetry is an addition to English literature about which it is said in Continuum: “It is a literature of myth and legend, kings and kingdoms, chivalry and romance; it is a literature of voyage and discovery, colonization and empire, war and retribution; it is a literature of tradition and transition, diversity and assimilation, promise and compromise”. What the present critics think about Maqsood Hasni and his creative work can be viewed in the scenario of their opinions. Their views have been collected from the letters, essays, newspapers, journals etc. written with regards to his books. I have tried my best to arrange them in apple pie order. In the scenario of these comments, the status of Maqsood Hasni as a critic, creative artist and researcher becomes evident. (1)Oot Say The “Oot Say”, is the name of his poetic collection. Its study shows that the poet has kept nothing hidden rather expressed each and everything openly and in a clear cut way. He voices each thing not from behind
the screen but in an obvious way. He expresses his thoughts with extreme sympathy, pathos and passions. Evidently the poems are short and sentences brief, but intrinsically, the poems and sentences are very lofty and stalwart. They are not lines but red roses, delicate the touch, charming to see, refreshing to smell. But in their effectiveness, they are just like flickering flames, the burns of miserable hearts, and the fire bombs for the world of oppression and suppression. (Prof Dr Farman Fateh Puri. Karachi, letter write on 5th June 1991) ( 2 ) Lisanyat-e- Ghalib (Ghalib’s Linguistics) As Mark Aronoff and Janie Rees-Miller opine: “Literature is a special kind of herbal behavior, and hence of interest to linguistics”, Maqsood Hasni developed a special interest in Ghalib’s linguistics. The opinions of some renowned scholars are as under: (A) Even the first glances of your writing “Lisanyat-e- Ghalib” makes us realize that you have a special taste for linguistics and you have a deep insight in Ghalib’s linguistics. Its study helps us estimate
your literary taste, far reaching sight and tiresome effort of research work. And it showed the future of literature and research is safe in the hands of and critics and intellectuals like you. Dr. Abou Suluman Shah Jehan Puri, Letter: 19 July, 1999) (B).Maqsood Hasni’s book “Lisanyat-e-Ghalib” is very extensive and useful in this regard. This research rises from Ghalib’s text. It can be regarded as Galib’s fortune to have an industrious text expert like Maqsood Hasni. (Prof. Dr. Syed Moeen-ur-Rehman Letter: 14 Nov, 1998) (C) In “Lisanyat-e-Ghalib” Maqsood Hasni has studied Ghalib’s linguistics with reference to his poetry. It sis a new aspect of understanding Ghalib that is so colorful with respect to its scenario. (Adeeb Sohail, Qami Zuban Oct 1999) (3)”Sheryat-e- Khayyam” Maqsood Hasni’s work is praiseworthy, first of all, with the respect that he has discussed some new aspects of Umar Khayyam. Secondly, it is not less than an uphill task to keep the
stream of criticism continue even when one is living in suburbs of centers. Maqsood Hasni has in “Sharyat-e-Khayyam” translated umar Khayyam’s Rubies (Quadrats) into three lined stanzas. (Tanveer Abbas Naqvi column Sr-e-Sham Lahore) (4) German Shaery Kay Fikri Zaviya (Intellectual Angles of German Poetry) (A). I had to study the “German Shaery Kay Fikri Zaviya” with deep attention. Your way of argumentation amused me very much. Your style is very charming that one can go through the whole book without any tiredness. (Dr. Muneer-ud-Din Ahmad, Germany. Letter: 23 June, 1993) (B) Hasni has written about peace, dignity of man, life and human values by presenting pieces from German poetry. Another remarkable action he has done is that along with German poetry he has presented examples from Urdu and other local languages. In this way, the reader finds it easy to make the comparative study of the poetry in the two countries: Pakistan Germany.
(Dr. Sabir Aafaqi (Review) TAjleeb-e-Noa February 1994) (5) Urdu Maen Nai Nazm A).You have comprehensively encompassed the new poems in Urdu. I appreciate your critical approach. I congratulate you on the publication of this thought provoking book. (Asharperbhat, India letter 9th Nov, 1993) B) You have worked very diligently. You have a strong grip on the subject and your statement is sustained by arguments. You have highlighted all the positive and negative aspects with respect to this new genre. I think nobody else has discussed the topic so extensively before you. Congratulations! (Dr. Abou Sayeed Noor-u- Din, Dhaka, Bengla Desh. Letter: 26 Jan, 1993) (6) Urdu Shaery , Fikiri-o-Lasani Raviyyay (Intellectual and linguistic attitudes in Urdu poetry) The “Urdu Shaer, Fikri wa Lasani Raviyyay� is the exhibition of complete grip of the competent writer on the ideological and practical criticism. The evolution of criticism is it distinctive quality. Prof. Hasni has multiplied the
importance of this book by bringing into action the moral, psychological, social, aesthetical and formative criticism. It can be asserted without the fear of any refuel that the wealth of Urdu criticism has made progress by the addition of this high leveled writing. (Prof.Ghulam Shabbir Rana Commentary “Mah-e-Nau”1998) (7) Asool aur Jaezay (Principles and Criticism) “Asool aur Jaezay” is the latest writing of Maqsood Hasni. The main characteristic of this book is that he never parts with honesty. Secondly, so much material has been collected in this middle level book that it has become a treasure of information for the new learners. And it provides an honest guidance to the critical minded men. (Dr. Baidal Haidery Kabeer Wala, Letter: 17 June, 1998.) (8) Supnay Agley Pehar Kay (Dreams of the Early Time) Maqsood Hasni is such a young writer as ever showers fire from his pen. He has performed his role by bringing into the boundary of his writing the uncountable
problems wide spread in the society. His essays and poems have the same tone and that tone is very live. The originality in his thought can be seen with all its energies. Maqsood Hasni’s effort in writing prose hyko is praise worthy. His hyko will prove the milestone between the prose- poem and hyko. In brief, Maqsood Hasni’s effective voice and his progressive mind shall affects the persons having the poetic taste. (Dr. Akhtar Shumar, Editor Magazine daily “Aftab” Lahore 6Sep, 1989) (9) Tehrikat –e-Urdu Adab (Movements in the Urdu Literature) Tehrikat-e-Urdu Adab written by Maqood Hasni on Urdu literature and the movements in the Urdu literature is a book of permanent reference for the research students. (Dr.Wafa Rashdi, Quomi Zuban July, 1997) (10) Baigumi Tajarba (Wife Experience) “Baigumi Tajarba” written by respectable Maqsood Hasni has come before the world in the form of humor and satire. What is the matrimonial experience? This book is, in fact,
the solution to all the problems. I was wonder struck after reading it that a such being exists among as has so much knowledge, experience of world, observation, and study in him. (Mehar Kachailwy weekly “Aurat” Mirpur Khas Sindh 18 Nov, 1993) (11) Ghalib aur Us Ka Ehad (Ghalib and His Age) “Ghalib aur Us Ka Ehad” passed before my eyes. For writing this book, the writer went through more than fifty books. The book gives us an estimation of the hard work made by the writer in composing it. A lot has been written on Ghalib. In this case there was no evident need to write this book. But the deep study of the book falsifies the idea. This research book by Maqsood Hasni contains interest. And it opens new facts of Ghalib’s poetry for a common reader. (Prof. Dr. Khawaja Hamid Yazdani Lahore. Letter: 21 Apr, 1994) (12) Sooraj Ko Roak Lo (Stop the Sun) “Sooraj Ko Roak Lo” Maqsood Hasni’s poetry is the
poetry of a peculiar creative minded poet of the present age. The triangle of self, environment and universe is the base of his thought provoking and creative trends. He knows the art of feeling the problems of life. Rare images, metaphors and symbols have blessed his poetry with freshness and vigor. His poetry, no doubt, is a sound voice of the preset age. (Dr. Gohar Noshahi Muktadra Quomi Zuban Islam Abad. Letter: 18Sept, 1991) (13) Sheryat –e- Shark -o- Garb (Poetry of East and West) “Sheryat –e-Shark-o-Garb” Provides with a sense of Maqsood Hasni’s critical and creative evolution. And this thing blesses him with a distinctive position among other researchers and critics of his age. “Sheryat-eShark-o-Garb” is a combination of such essays as awaken our insight. The new themes, their novelty and their vastness can be well estimated by the variety of their headings. (Dr .Wafa Rashidi,Mahnama Nawa-e-Pathan. August,1999) (14) Takhliqi WA Tankidi Zaviay (Creative and critical
Angles) “Takhliqi wa Tankidi Zaviay” is a combination of eighteen essays written by Maqsood Hasni on the subjects of literary creativity and literary criticism. Hasni has penned down different aspects of literature. I agree to the thought presented by the writer. He presents his thoughts in his own words. He never walks on the path of arts with the borrowed crutches. The names of well known scholars are seldom found in his writings. Without the prop of other scholars’ supporting thoughts, he makes his point clear to the reader with the might of the own words and it is the climax of art. Worthy to be applauded. (Dr. Wafa Rashidi Karachi. June, 1994) (15)Sitar-e-Bunti Ankhein (Stars Weaving Eyes) I also accept that creation is creation and translation is translation .But a translator can translate one thing in hundreds of ways. It is possible if the translator has knowledge, insight, intuition and language and he also roasts idioms in the stale translation may look like a
creation. So the work has been performed by Maqood Hasni very well in his book “Sitar-e-Bunti Ankhein” which is a translation of Turk poetry. (Dr.Baidal Haidery Kabeer Wala. Letter: 19 June, 1998) (16) Zard Kajal (Yellow ……….) “Zard Kajal” is a combination of Maqsood Hasni’s short stories. Its study opens a number of social knots. And the reader feels easy when he understands the comparison of some social conditions and concepts of the East and those of the west. The writer has tried to propagate the trend of realism with the indication of the new trend and moves instead of the old concepts. (Seikh Altaf-ul-Allah, Sanam International Lahore. Feb, 1993) (17) Munir-ud-Din Kay Afsanay (Short Stories of Munir-ud-Din) In the book in hand, Maqsood Hasni has presented the critical study of the short stories by Munir. He has neither mental miserliness nor lack of diligence. It is the peculiar characteristic of Hasni’s personality. That why his each new piece of work is
welcomed with pure heart and sincere passions. This time this welcome is being made an organized way. (Prof.Amjad Ali Shaker. 30 Dec, 1993) (18) Jis Hath Mein Lathi (The Hand that has a Stick/Lathi) I received three books from you. Jis Hath Mean Lathi, Tehkiq aur Tankidi Zaviay, Galib aur Us ka Ehed. I am thankful for that. All three of these books are very useful, and directly effective. The style of writing has widened your circle of readers. (Akbar Hamidi, Urdu Department, Islamabad College. Letter: 24 Apr, 1994) (19) WO Akaili Thi (She was Alone) Maqsood Hasni is a well known name is the present age short writing. “Wo Akaili Thi” has fifteen short stories. Most of the short stories had already been published in different journals before 1997. At that time, Hasni Sahib’s pen name was Qazi Jarar Hasni. In the short stories, like every sensitive writer, the sorrow of the present age can be found. He has pasteurized the anxieties wide spread around him. It is no doubt a praiseworthy task. (Weekly
Family Magazine Lahore. 28 Apr to 4 May, 1992) In the light of the above mentioned arguments and comments, it comes crystal clear that Maqsood Hasni can boast of a high status as a critic, researcher and creator. He shatters the old moulds of measuring the beauty and quantity of some piece of writing and formulates new meters for the measurement of literary writing. He is no where seen impressed by the western thought or approach. He is the originator in his field. He can be regarded as the pioneer of a vast coming era. The circle of his readers and critics will go on widening with the passage of time. In the coming years he will become a bright star in the limitless sky of literature. His repute with not remain confined to Urdu but will spread to all the world languages. He will never die in Urdu Adab. He has devoted all his life to literature and he can be rightly called the martyr of Urdu literature. His work on Galib finds no peer near him. He has become a living example of: Ranjah Ranjah ker di ne maen aapay Ranjah hoei And
in Galib’s own words: Aisa kahan say laoon keh tujh sa kahain jisay
Abuuzar Barqi Kutab’khana June 2017