Mohammad Arfat Wani
S. Mashooq Ahmed, hailing from the picturesque district of Kulgam in Kashmir, is a unique personality in Urdu literature. Not only is he a masterful essayist, but he is also a distinguished commentator, short story writer, and poet. His literary pen name, S. Mashooq Ahmed, has become synonymous with a mark of excellence that leaves a profound impression on the minds and hearts of every literary connoisseur and scholar.
S. Mashooq Ahmed has made an illustrious place for himself in literature. I have come to know him over the past few months by reading what he has written, and what immediately impressed me was the thoughts of his mind, the acuteness of his imagination, and the innovation of his style. Each of his commentaries and essays is a salve to the heart and an enlargement of the mind as he effortlessly introduces life experience, human emotion, social reality, and intellectual consideration into language that is simultaneously familiar and deeply resonant. Not only do his words evoke the reader, they also guide the reader into new directions of thought and reflection, and thus his writing is a guiding light in contemporary Urdu literature.
S. Mashooq Ahmed’s love of literature often runs deep, and his affection for the essay form is no secret in literary circles. His essays carry a rare aesthetic and intellectual beauty that makes an impression on the reader’s mind, possessing a flawless mix of elegance and depth that few authors can offer. As a critic, Mashooq reads books with care and fastidiously notes their key points and offers in-depth, perceptive critiques. His critiques do not only reveal the significance of the work that he discusses but also call upon readers to read books more deeply, exposing them to different levels of thought and imagination. Published through newspapers, magazines, and media, his works bring intellectual satisfaction and guidance, inspiring aspiring writers and readers of books as well.
S. Mashooq Ahmed is counted among India and Pakistan’s best choice, renowned essayists, and his essays bear witness to both his outstanding creative abilities and nuanced understanding of Urdu literature. His essays are not only distinguished by their distinctive style but also by analysis depth, refined language, and challenging themes, which combined position him firmly in the world of literature. Thus far, he has written four great books: “Main Ne Dekha” (assays and sketches), “Dabistan-e-Kashmir ke Darakhshan Sitare” (essays on Kashmiri authors and poets), “Kootahiyan” (assays), and “Kitaaben Jhankti Hain” (commentary and criticism). Not very long ago, Farida Anjum compiled a collection of his essays in a book named “Adabi Mashooqiyat”, which only goes to underscore the value of his work.
Every line and every thought in Mashooq Ahmed’s writing is a call to reflection, reminiscent of the richness of the human experience. His writing lingers on the complexities of life, on the subtlety of social behavior, on the richness of human emotions, and on what literature is all about. Through his unique blend of social observation, subtle humor, satire, and verbal agility, he conveys the richness of human experience, and his work becomes a source of guidance not only in Kashmir but across the whole subcontinent. Mashooq Ahmed is a great writer in every literary genre, but every work that he produces reflects his deep love of literature, his wide intellectual vision, and his sensitivity to human emotions.
S. Mashooq Ahmed’s artistic temperament, reflected in his own special style and firm commitment to literary excellence, is a magnificent addition to Urdu literature. Every essay, review, and article written by him raises new standards of literary and intellectual excellence. He is not only a writer but also a perceptive guide, awakening readers to the facts of life, society, language, and literature. His writings evoke emotions, provoke thoughts, and illuminate the enduring richness of Urdu literature and language.
One of his most notable works, “Kitaaben Jhankti Hain” is an excellent collection of critical essays, first published in 2024 by GNK Publications. Consisting of 186 pages with hardcover binding of an advanced kind, the book is intriguing at first sight. Its price of three hundred and fifty rupees hardly reflects the rich literary wealth in store within it. The book is a rigorous reading of literature, and Mashooq Ahmed’s close reading, insightful close-reading, and authentic reflection. Each essay not only elucidates regarding the work discussed but also directs to its aesthetic subtlety. His opting for plain language guarantees that the reader is not burdened but instead gets to enjoy a good and enlightening reading experience.
Kitaaben Jhankti Hain does not so much expose individual writings but displays a glimpse of a wide range of authors and writings. Through this compilation, Mashooq Ahmed throws light on the extensive expanse of literature, reflecting his extensive reading, deep love for learning, and mastery over critique. The essays and commentaries published range from fiction, poetry, essay, and criticism to introduce readers to the diverse facets of literary exploration. Of the best essays among them are critical analyses of books by Mohammad Asadullah, Manwar Usmani, Iqbal Hasan Azad, and Ibn-e-Safi, and thematic explorations of contemporary Urdu fiction and introspective writings on human life, philosophy, and literary concepts. This book not only enhances literary understanding but also serves as a handbook for readers to improve his interpretative and analytical skills.
Similarly, “Kootahiyan”, a fine collection of twenty-one essays published by GNK Publications, comprises 128 pages and demands special notice with its beautiful cover. Dedicated to his loving parents out of love, respect, and gratitude, the book addresses social and day-to-day life topics in an accessible, easy-to-read manner with a catchy flow that involves readers on a journey of observation, thinking, and reflection. Each essay is humorous, satirical, and thought-provoking, challenging readers to consider different aspects of life. The anthology favors Mashooq Ahmed’s observation, extensive reading, and literary ability, and each essay communicates a new message along with an emotional entreaty.
The titles in Kootahiyan—such as “Umar Poochna”, “Khushamad”, “Dost, Dushman aur Biwi”, “Kya Karte Ho”, “Bas Chaar Din”, “Adhar aur Gaali”, “Baheek Khareedne ka Khawab”, “Kutte Mein Tera Khoon Bhi Jaoon Ga”, “Laraai”, “Rog Radio aur Adabi Program”, “Gaye Bhi Chori Hui”, “Phisalna”, “Intizaar”, “Shafiq Bacholiya”, “Zikr-e-Ahd-e-Shabab”, “Mirza Tabarak Abadi”, “Shadi Shuda aur Kanware”, “Soorat Pehchaan aur Paishgoi”, “Ashaar ki Man Bhati Sharh”, “Modern Mehboob”, and “Salaam Name”—ask questions, as readers are compelled to view social realities, human actions, and everyday life in new perspectives. Each essay presents a complete story, a singular experience, and a vibrant imaginative scene, a lasting impression that is remembered in the mind and heart of the reader.
By these essays, readers not only get acquainted with Mashooq Ahmed’s skill of observation and literary art but also gain a new vision for looking at day-to-day life, emotions, and social behaviors. The game of joke, criticism, and reflection in these essays makes Kootahiyan a new kind of literary work, offering enlightening and memorable reading to all the readers.
S. Mashooq Ahmed, therefore, is not merely a master essayist, critic, and columnist of Urdu literature but a writer whose works make a profound and lasting impression upon the minds and hearts of his readers. His books, Kitaaben Jhankti Hain and Kootahiyan, evoke thought, ennoble literary taste, and act as beacon lights for mature and new readers of Urdu literature. Beyond any doubt, S. Mashooq Ahmed is a shining star in the world of Urdu literature, whose light will continue to illuminate the literary and intellectual sphere for generations to come.
(The author is a passionate writer, social activist, and medical student. He hails from Kuchmulla Tral and can be reached at [email protected])
