Born on March 06 1966 to Gh Rasool Bhat novelsat Chanapora area of Srinagar, Parvaiz Ahmad Bhat better known by his pen name as Parvaiz Manoos is a prominent name in the realm of urdu literature. Authoring more than two dozen books, Mr Manoos has emerged as an impactful litteratuer of valley. Initially starting his literary career as a poet, he turned towards, translation, book reviewing and short story writing. His first poetry collection “Bete lamhon ki sogatein” was well received by the literary circles in 1993 followed by “Shikare ki mouth” Short story collection in 1995. His short stories and poetry items are regularly published by prominent dailies and monthly magazines across the country and receiving accolades from novice and seasoned writers equally.
Apart from poetry and short story collections, Parvez Manoos has penned three huge and incredible novels viz Bargashtagi, Sare Jahan Ka Dard and Ishq Jis Ne Bi Kiya. This novel spanning 290 pages is published by Darakhshan Publications, adorned with an enticing cover designed by S Tariq and composed by MD Faraz. While writing a detailed and insightful dialogue of the book, Dr Altaf Anjum valley’s renowned litteratuer is of the view “Parvez Manoos has already carved a nitch in the world of poetry, but his style and prowess of writing novels has added one more feather in the cap to promote his ideas and opinions incorporated in the book”. In it’s proem noted columnist of valley, Altaf Jamil Shah writes “novel writing has been a regular feature in J&K as some legendary writers like Krishan Chandar, Hamidi Kashmiri, Umar Majid, Shabnum Qayoom, Noor Shah, Deepak Budki, Deepak Kanwal, Ab Gani Sheikh, Farooq Renzu, Taranum Riyaz and Rahim Rehbar have authored some brilliantly composed novels. Parvez Manoos is a great addition to the list and his novels have infused hope to the young writers”. Subzar Ahmad Bhat an academic and columnist has unveiled the beauties and silent features of the book through his meticulously written write-up. According to him, before writing about the Ishq, Parvez Manoos has himself well acquainted about the philosophy of Ishq. In his word of gratitude, Parvez Manoos has expressed his sincere thanks to everyone who helped him in realising his dream of authoring this novel. In this note of thanks, he has specifically mentioned Amir Ameer a Facebook friends besides Dr Altaf Anjum, Mehrajudin Faraz, Tariq Shah, Altaf Jamil Shah and Subzar Ahmad Bhat. The novel Ishq Jis Ne Bi Kiya, mainly revolves round few active and vibrant characters viz Gulfam, Gilnar Begum, Shaharyar, Jabar, Mahira, Khalil Rehman, Noor Saba and Dilawar. Gulfan, an owner of a cement factory, two magnificent car showrooms is holding large assets besides an apple orchard spanning many acres of land which he has inherited from his father Shahbaz Ali. Gulnar Begum, his spouse is a generous lady who longs for having a child and despite visiting doctors and faith healers for about twelve years, she couldn’t bear a child. However it was only after a gap of twelve years that a saintly man visited her home and drew the figure of a child at the entrance gate, the following day when she accompanied her husband upto the main gate while he was leaving for his office, she suddenly developed abdominal pain.
After consulting the doctor at a nearby hospital, the good news of her being pregnant pleased everyone in the family. A moon like son Shaharyar was born, who was treated like a prince and his every wish was fulfilled dutifully by his parents. However due to pampered upbringing, he turns to be stubborn. He shows unusual and unethical behavior while at home and school. Once he chopped the braid of a female teacher who taught him at home, at another occasion the local police caught him alongside four other friends while doing bike stunts, at school his teachers and principal often complained about his irresponsible and imprudent behavior. At home one day he grew so angry that he left aquarium broken into pieces and the colourful fish died soon. While Gulnar aften shielded his son whenever he did some uncivilized and reckless acts, Gulfam was fed up with his unruly conduct and was anxious to see his son as a civilised and decent human. To make him moralized, Khalil Rehman an Imam and Devband pass out who stayed in a rented accommodation there actually hailed from a far off village, was leading the prayers at the city mosque, was asked to give him moral lessons at home besides Quranic teachings. Soon a positive change in his behavior was witnessed and often posed mind-blowing questions. During the month of Ramadan, Khalil Rehman stayed in the mosque to perform Aitkaf, it was decided that his daughter Noor Saba would do the rest of the task. She taught him with utmost intrest and diligence. Shaharyar again posed difficult questions like What is Love? What is Ishq? What is soul? What is self? What is the difference between Sufi and Darvesh etc, Noor Saba left no stone unturned to make him understand the asked concepts. However soon he felt in love with his newly appointed teacher. Her charm, deep eyes and soulful voice lured him. He often sought opportunities on the pretext of seeing her while she went to teach in a nearby madarsa. On Eid day when he was asked to give them Eid gifts besides the remuneration amount, he was thrilled and hurriedly left home to see her. Fortunately he saw her face to face there, which further tantalized him.
Gradually Noor Saba too felt in love with Shaharyar who according to her is a simpleton, truthful and pure-hearted. Soon they began liking each other and the news of their closeness reached every home. When Khalil Rehman knew it, he restricted her daughter from teaching students in the madrasa and asked her not to allow Shaharyar in the home further. Shaharyar was lost in her love and by all means wished to have her. When he disclosed it in front of her mother, she almost scolded him for she belonged to a downtrodden family. Jabar Gulnar’s brother wanted to marry his daughter Mahira with Shaharyar for he being a lone son of a royal family. Deliberately and intentionally he left her at her aunt’s house to study at a coaching center. She too wanted to lure Shaharyar but he remained unmoved. When Shaharyar openly revealed his ambitions and tried to persuade his parents, they were stunned and did everything possible to distract his mind. This didn’t have any effect on Shaharyar’s objective and he got more infuriated. Jabar plotted a secret plan without informing anyone, through Dilawar an allegation was levelled against Khalil Rehman who happened to visit Rukhsana’s home during late night as her little daughter was ill. She was Noor Mohammad’s wife who had died due to sudden high blood pressure and kept brotherly relations with Khalil Rehman throughout his life. It was alleged that Khalil Rehman had bad intentions, and through a unanimous decision by the masjid committee both the families were forced to leave the city without any further notice. Khalil Rehman settled along with his three children in a far off destination where nomads rear cattles in summers. The father daughter began teaching the nomadic children there which helped them to sustain during predicament.
However the ill-intentions of Jabar were unveiled when Dilawar called him on phone and it was received by his sister Gulnar Begum. The evidence was enough to prove that, it was none other than Jabar who shattered the dreams of couple, ravaged their home and snatched from them their lone pampered son Shaharyar. Shaharyar had already left his home when he knew that the dou families were forced to leave the city on baseless allegations. He left to meet Noor Saba. Gulfam met the members of Masjid committee, revealing the truth behind expelling Khalil Rehman and widow Rukhsana from the city. All members felt sorry and were eager to seek forgiveness from the former Imam. For all fifteen years, the couple left no stone unturned to search for their son, they lodged the missing report at the police station, through print and electronic media also public was informed. However it was only after Gulfam received a call from Wajid Khan IG CID informing him about his son being alive and settling at a far away place beneath the great hill, now famous round the region as Noorani Baba. It was further reiterated that they have matched his son’s picture through graphics, which revealed that Noorani baba is actually Shaharyar their own son. A month earlier also, the couple had met Noorani Baba when Firdous informed them about the faith healer but he didn’t reveal his identity that time but assured that their son is alive and lost in the love of his Lord. Parvaiz Manoos has diligently and meticulously crafted this novel and indubitably it is a huge addition to the urdu literature. After going through this scrupulously written novel, it can be said that the future of novel in Kashmir is bright because the young and budding writers too display their skill in writing novels.
The writer is a columnist hailing from Qazigund Kashmir.
