Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Moth Smoke.

This review is of my one of the favorite books. I have written this review few months back. I am posting it here with couplet by Meer Taqi Meer which compliments the story of Daru...

The flame it saw,

But thereafter nothing besides the curving, leaping

tounges of fire.

By the time its eyes were on the flame,

The moth was in the fire.

Moth Smoke is the apt name for the story in which protagonist is like a moth circling the fire which eventually took him down and there was nothing left only diffused smoke and ash like existence .... useless heap of the burned out life.


Darashikoh Shezad or Daru in novel is the classic example of the Greek hero who has downfall from prosperity to adversity. On the onset of story, writer introduces a short fact from the history about the mughal prince Dara Shikoh who was sentenced to death by his youngest brother Aurangzeb on committing a crime which goes against the morals of Islam.


Mohsin Hamid has artfully drawn parallel with the mughals and the characters of his fiction world. ‘Daru’ is like a cheap wine...toxic and easily disposed. That’s what happened to Darashikoh Shehzad, he turned toxic over time meddling with drugs and infidelity he lost the honour added to this is his status of being jobless accelerated his downfall. He falls for Mumtaz his best friend Aurengzeb’s wife and then she became the key who brought him down.


She used him for her satisfaction which gave her liberation with no strings attached i.e no commitment and left him in the lurch at the end because she couldn’t possibly leave her son....whom she never loved. Mumtaz was an invisible partner in Daru’s crime of passion while Murad badshah another side characher was the visible one. He also like Mumtaz used Daru, high on drug and disillusioned he accepted the partnership with Murad badshah in his robbery plan and in his rage of being ditched he shot dead an innocent boy because somehow he symbolizes Mumtaz son.


Setting is of the posh society of Lahore, Hamid weaves the story which is compelling, engaging and audacious. He opens the world where drug abuse, alcohol and infidelity prevail; the contempt of the writer of this diplomatic world is seen in his sarcastic, harsh and raw language. Darashikoh is a well rounded character, he has good as well as bad side his conscience is active throughout but the circumstances drew him towards the pit where he was left to rot. Aurangzeb or Ozi is a pasteboard character rich, spoiled and cuckolded husband he represents the high society and the corruption. Mumtaz and Murad badshah were strong side characters who contributed in shaping the events in Darashikoh’s life.


Narration is descriptive; one can feel the heat of Lahore as well as picture its bazaars and towns perfectly. Hamid’s subtle touch on political scenario is uncritical however the effect of politics is seen on the people of the Moth Smoke world. This book no doubt is a good read, witty and realistic and finishes with poetic justice
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Monday, February 28, 2011

It's a White Lady Bird!

In the daily drudgery of life there are few moments which draws yout out of your dull, dreary routine. It makes you contemplate something so ordinary which later becomes a part of your happy recollection.
 
Few days back we had the Sports Day in our school. Under the sizzling heat and dry winds we have to practise for the upcoming event. In such a weather, making children practise for their race was tiersome and bothersome. All the students were exhausted and drained out of energy as they are so pampered that one practise of March Pass was too much a exercise for them. Though they were sitting on a mat but their lolling heads and fatiuge on their faces was enough to foretell that it will be hard to give them instructions as the dazed mind collects nothing.
 
Amidst of this all there was a sudden short wave of excitment among some boys in my class. They were looking at something and were on each other to observe the thing which fancied them. I checked them and asked what is so interesting. One said, "Miss it's a White Lady Bird,"
 
I said, "It's just a bug sit down now,"
 
He looked at me and full with excitment told me again, "It's a White Lady Bird!"
 
with him other also peeked at that bug and so the whispers circulated full of excitment and amazment, "Its a White Lady Bird!" then there was some movement as they made way for the royal lady bird. One said "Its coming near me," then I think out of curiousty he touched it.
 
"Ouch! it bit me," the one who touched shouted, with that the bug was not so interesting any more. everyone settled back and an instant forgot about their White Lady Bird. It happened for few moments but was very amusing. It changed my mood for better and I wondered that how small a thing could matter and can make an effect which last longer and stays with you for life.
 
 
 
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