BOOK REVIEW: 'Dhoop Kee Awaz'

A medical doctor by profession, Asmat Durrani is a gentle soul. Apart from his 9 to 5 professional life, he finds a bit of time to record his inner feelings. He writes ghazals as well as nazms to express his creativity. So poetry remains his passion. Most probably he can not live without composing poetry.
It is an essential part of his life. 'Dhoop Kee Awaz' is the second collection of his poetry. It is a valuable addition to the world of Urdu poetry.
The critic par excellence Dr Nasir Abbas Nayyar has written a detailed introduction of the book. It is both informative as well as scholarly. He is of the view that the title of the book is modernistic but its contents are not out and out modern. Rather its contents can be termed as mildly modern. There is no rumpus of ideology. There is no verbosity to dazzle you. Dr Asmat shows a tendency to tread the middle ground. His poetry is like a smooth stream that runs in an enchanting way.
But imagery is really rich to say the least. He deftly uses the rural images of his native Balochistan. He also employs few terms that are only in vogue in his region. He seems to be completely in love with the rugged and barren landscape of Baluchistan. The example of his nazm 'Balochistan' can be quoted here. It is such a pleasure to read it. It shows the deep love of the poet for his land. Here he seems to be a true son of the soil.
But poets are said to be very sensitive. They can not keep silent on the social injustices and other ills that usually beset our society. Same is the case with Dr Asmat. His verse has also some political undertones too. He mildly takes to task those who are responsible for the mess we find ourselves stuck up. Just read the following verse,
Sakat Nahi Hai Ghuttan Ka Azab Sehnay Kee
Chalo Idher Ko Chalein jis Taraf Hawa Jae
One can find relevance to our times in this verse. It truly portrays the repressive conditions of our times. He is pained to see the exploitation of the masses at the hands of the rulers. The dwindling gulf between have and have-nots shocks him. Without any sort of disappointment he drives his point with a simple verse.
Likha Hai Rizq Mera US Diyar Mein Asmat
Jahan Na Saaf Hawa Hai Na saaf Pani Hai
On the other hand, he also lightly reprimands those who are always complaining. All the time we like to complain for some matter or the other. It is in our blood. His nazm 'Mayoos Log' is a satire on all such people. His ghazals have a flavour of its own. It is not incessant weeping in the memory of his beloved. No he remains quite dignified man. He does not stoop so low. He complains in a smooth language.
He does not believe in moving sky and earth in the memory of his lover. One can say that he is more close to the nature. The birds, orchards, and trees are recurring themes of his ghazals. Rough and dry terrain of Balochistan is attractive for him. Here too one can not miss the political leanings. If the orchard is taken to be our country and the suffocated birds are our people, the whole picture becomes so clear.
Dr Asmat Durrani uses no superlatives. His language is simple and unassuming. But it has an appeal of its own. He must be congratulated for offering us with such dignified verse. 'Dhoop Kee Awaz' is a whiff of fresh air from Quetta.