Mohammad Arfat Wani:
S. Mashooq Ahmed from Kulgam, Kashmir, is a shining name in Urdu literature. He is not only an essayist but also a poet, critic, and short story writer. His writings show his deep understanding of life, literature, and society. Known by his pen name, S. Mashooq Ahmed, he has earned great respect among Urdu readers and scholars across India and Pakistan.
I came to know him through his writings, and what impressed me most was his fresh thinking, deep imagination, and beautiful style. His essays and commentaries touch both the heart and the mind. They carry human emotions, life experiences, and social realities, written in simple yet meaningful language. His works open new ways of thinking for readers, making him one of the guiding figures of modern Urdu literature.
Mashooq Ahmed has written several important books. Among them, Main Ne Dekha, Dabistan-e-Kashmir ke Darakhshan Sitare, Kootahiyan, and Kitaaben Jhankti Hain stand out. A separate compilation of his essays, Adabi Mashooqiyat, edited by Farida Anjum, further highlights his literary strength and growing influence.
His book Kitaaben Jhankti Hain, published in 2024 by GNK Publications, is a remarkable collection of critical essays. The book has 186 pages and is beautifully bound. It costs Rs 350 but holds rich literary value. Each essay in it shows Mashooq Ahmed’s close reading, critical skill, and clear language. The essays deal with the works of writers like Mohammad Asadullah, Manwar Usmani, Iqbal Hasan Azad, and Ibn-e-Safi. The book gives readers a deeper understanding of Urdu literature and teaches how to read and analyze books thoughtfully.
Another book, Kootahiyan, also published by GNK Publications, contains 21 essays spread across 128 pages. Dedicated to his parents, the book covers social and everyday life topics with humor, wit, and reflection. Essays like “Umar Poochna,” “Khushamad,” “Dost, Dushman aur Biwi,” and “Modern Mehboob” make readers laugh and think at the same time. Each essay offers a short, engaging story filled with human feelings and life observations.
Through both Kitaaben Jhankti Hain and Kootahiyan, readers witness Mashooq Ahmed’s literary depth, humor, and ability to see life from a new angle. His writing entertains, teaches, and inspires. He is not only a fine essayist and critic but also a teacher of thought and expression.
S. Mashooq Ahmed’s contribution to Urdu literature is immense. His work will continue to guide and inspire writers and readers for years to come. He truly deserves to be called one of the brightest stars in the sky of Urdu literature.
(Review by Mohammad Arfat Wani, writer, social activist, and B.Sc. Nursing student at Ramzaan College of Nursing & Paramedical Sciences, Galander Pampore. Email: wania6817@gmail.com)
