Book & Author: Interview
Razia Fasih Ahmad: A Writer Par Excellence
By Dr Ahmed S. Khan
Chicago, IL
Razia Fasih Ahmad is a living legend of Urdu fiction. She presently resides in Elgin, a suburb of Chicago. She moved to the United States in the mid-1980s. During the last seven decades she has produced a vast array of intellectual outputs: ten novels, two novelettes, five collections of short stories, a collection of short stories in English, two travelogues, a collection of humorous essays, a collection of plays, and a plethora of other short articles.
She started her literary career with short fiction stories. Her popular novel titles include Seemeen (1964), Abla-Pa(1964), Intizar-e-Mosam-e-Gul (1965), Ek Jahan AurBhi Hai(1966),Mata-e-Dard (1969), Tapti Chhaun (1969), Azar-e-Ishq (1971),Atash Kada (1983), Sadiyon Ki Zanjeer (1986), Yeh Khwab Sare (1992), andAadhi Sacchayan ( 2008). Her most recent novel is Zakh'm-e-Tanhai (2007). It is based on the life of the Bronte sisters of England: Charlotte, Emily, and Ann Branwell who are authors of Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and many famous literary works. She has also authored in English a collection of funny stories about everyday life in America, titled Americans Are Punny People: Recognizing Humor in Everyday Situations (2015). Her short stories in English have been broadcast on the BBC World Service and published in the US. Her poetry collections include Chak-e-Qafas and Qafas Zad. She is currently compiling another poetry collection. Her novel Abla-pah won the Adamji Prize for literature in 1964. She also won the Writer’s Guild Prize for best short story for Aankh ka Kanta, and later won theAhmad Nadeem Qasimi Award for her novel Zakhm-e-Thanhai, and the Urdu Board Award for her literary accomplishments.
She was given a Lifetime Achievement Award for Urdu Literature (2011) by Iqra Magazine, Karachi. It is ironic that her literary contributions have not been officially acknowledged in the form of a national award by the government of Pakistan. Recently,Dr Ahmed S. Khan conducted an interview with Razia Fasih Ahmad.
Q: When and where were you born? How many siblings do you have? Where did you receive your primary and higher education?
A: I was told I was born in Muradabad UP, British India, some people call Muradabad the twin city of Amroha. Regarding siblings, we were six sisters and six brothers, one sister and one brother died in their infancy, later three brothers also died, one sister lives in Lahore and all other live in the United Sates. I received my early education in Meerut and Judhpur, Rajasthan, and later in Pakistan I completed my matriculation, intermediate, FA and BA, all as a private candidate. I got scholarship for matric and intermediate, and was the recipient of a gold medal for securing first position in BA (Peshawar University, 1960), at that time both my sons were going to primary school. I completed my MA when my third son was born.
Q: When and how did you and your family migrate to Pakistan?
A: Our migration to Pakistan from India, in 1948, is a very long story. From Fatehpur UP, we traveled to Bombay by train. At that time I was 14 years old and the eldest among my siblings. We stayed at Haji Musfir Khana in Bombay for 16 days, and then boarded a ship named Jul Durga for our voyage to Karachi. I wrote my first story onboard this ship about our travel experience.
Q: Do you remember any migration stories of your friends and relatives?
A: All our relatives and friends have their own stories and tales to tell. One of my Karachi friend’s brother got killed while trying to come to Pakistan from Shimla. We are very thankful to God that our entire family reached Pakistan safely. In Muradabad, we used to have a house, known as Mahal in our neighborhood. After coming to Pakistan, my father and two of his elder brothers did not file a claim for our house, and family graveyard in Muradabad; their argument was that they got their Pakistan, that is enough, they do not need anything else.
Q: How were your early days in Pakistan? What were the challenges and issues, and how you did you manage to cope with them? How did you start writing?
A: Those were indeed challenging times for all people. In Karachi, I took admission in class ninth. In 1948, lots of newly constructed school buildings were popping up, and hundreds of girls were taking admission. I came from a school that had very high academic standards, so after a couple of months when the exams were held, for me it was not difficult to secure first position. After a while, my father was transferred to Montgomery, and I opted to take the exam rather than joining a school. Moreover, I started to write stories for children. Earlier, I had written a story and it got published in Asmat. I developed my passion for writing as a result of my reading habit. During my younger years, due to my loneliness, I always sought refuge in books. Once I read a story, and realized that I can also write a similar story. So I wrote a story and anonymously sent it for publication, fortunately it got published, and it boosted my confidence. Later, my stories for children were published by Ferozsons, Lahore.
Q: How did you become a writer? Who influenced you? What awards were bestowed on you in recognition of your work?
A: My father, Waqi Ahmad, used to write stories and poetry, which used to get published. But when I grew up, my father discontinued his writings as he got inclined towards Sufism. Many of his stories were there for me to read, perhaps I got influenced by his writings. In 1950, when I appeared for my matric exam, I participated in a story-writing contest sponsored by a Children’s magazine. My story was adjudged as the best and I won a prize of Rs 20. The story was published in the form of a book. In 1962, my novel Abla Paa was published and in 1964-65 won the Adamjee Award. I traveled to East Pakistan to receive the award. The novel was included in the curricula of Rajshahi University. In 1966, I received the best short story award for “Aankh Kaa Kaanta.” The same year my manuscript “Sair e Pakistan,” was adjudged as the best work by Anjuman Tarraqi Urdu, and later the Gild Kitab Ghar published it in a book form with photos. In 2007, my novel “Zakhm-e-Thanhai,” was declared the best novel of the year, and I was given the Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi Award with a cash prize. In 2011, I was given a Life Achievement Award, and prizes with a publication of a Festschrift. I never received any awards or recognition from the government. During an interview, someone asked me, “Do you think that Government awards are given in a fair manner?” I replied, “When I will receive one, then I could say yes they are given in a fair manner.”
Q: Who are your favorite poets and writers? Would you like to share some titles of their work?
A: I used to read works of all writers, but was impressed by Asmat Chughtai. I also liked some of the works of Manto and Ghulam Abbas. My favorite poets are Ghalib, Faiz, Nasir Kazmi, and I enjoy reading Kalam e Ghalib, Dast e Saba, Jail ka Kalam, Nasir Kazmi ka Kalam, and Munir Naizi ka Kalam.
Q: How did you come to the United States? How did you start your life in the States? What were the challenges and how you coped with them? What kind of intellectual activities did you pursue in the US?
A: My eldest son invited me to the United States.After the visit I was about to return to Pakistan when my husband called and informed me that he was coming with our younger son Eraj, and after arranging for his education in the States, we will return together. But afterwards, my husband changed his mind, he wanted to stay here while I wanted to go back. He had earlier visited the States in 1957, and liked the experience very much. All my friends back home complained and grumbled as to why I had stayed back here. No one knows me here, and I had no recognition of my work here. But what could I do?Gradually, all children and their children, and my siblings all came here, and my own identity got lost in theirs.
In the beginning, I stayed with my middle-born son who had a job. I also worked for a multi-cultural program that also offered a little salary. We kept on moving around, so I was not able to keep a job for a long time. Later, in Chicago I worked for a school, and then I joined a store specializing in draperies. The work was not challenging at all. Whatever work I performed, I did it on my terms, to learn new things, and to keep myself busy. Due to all this, I was only able to write just one novel: Zakm-e-Thanai. I was able to get good volume of material and films on the Bronte sisters. So after the publication of Sadeyoon ki Zangeer, the novels I wrote, I sent them for publication via e-mail. As a matter of fact, in 1965, I started to use the Urdu typewriter, and later became proficient in the Urdu word processor program on computer. I translated my novel Sadeyoon Ki Zangeer into English as Breaking Links. I continued to write novels. In 1994 I started to express my thoughts in poetic form too. I joined a writers group in the Schaumburg Library, and later at the same library started a monthly Urdu literary meeting, the event continues to take place every month. I also wrote many articles in English, and in 2015 they were published in the form of a book called “American are Punny People.” I am continuing my writing.
Q: What are some of the lessons you learned from life? How do you compare the two cultures?
A: I believe that as long as one lives, one should continue to learn new things. But sometimes I feel that I have not learned much. In America, I am very much impressed by the good manners and etiquette of the children and adults. They do all work themselves. They do not feel any guilt, no matter what kind of work it is, they do it proudly. Reflecting on ourselves, in our society half of our people are serving the other half in their homes. There is a big class divide. I feel saddened by watching group of four or five people sitting on benches in front of houses in posh and defense housing societies; they ought to do some useful work which can contribute to the economy of the country. Jobs need to be created to boost the economy.
Q: What are the reasons for the decline of societal values in Pakistan? What can be done to reverse the trend?
A: When nations suffer from a moral and ethical decline, “we” is replaced by “I”, personal interest and gains are pursed at any cost, recognition and financial gains are sought without any regards to the means, right or wrong, halal or haram, and when this distinction disappears the society undergoes a decline. Please read my Ghazal “KhahaaN GhayeeN,” addressed to the intellectuals of the society. To change the course of decline, one has to stand up to the status quo; if one cannot do it, that is just the reflection of us and the type of politicians and leaders ruling us; we need leaders who can live like ordinary people, eat what ordinary people eat, and live in a small house where ordinary people reside; leaders have to be visionary, honest and practice what they preach, for such leaders people will have faith and the country can move forward. We have too many weaknesses in our society; one major weakness is that we criticize for the sake of criticism, we try to impose our will without any regard to others’ feelings and opinions; and show no tolerance; another thing is that there is too much talk of religion, but how many practice religion in their actions and life? Not many!
Q: What advice or message would you like to pass on to the next generation of Urdu writers?
A: I feel very sad that I am away from the new Urdu writers, especially Pakistani writers. I wish to advise them that they should write for the sake of writing without seeking recognition; it will come later, one cannot get recognition on one’s own terms. Another fact I want to mention is that we grew up with the notion that writing is a trait that one is born with, either one has it or does not. In the US, this trait is taught in schools and at various workshops, there are hundreds and thousands of books on the subject. Moreover, on the Internet, there are people who can teach you how to write for a fee. Sometimes, I wonder about the effectiveness of these modes; sometimes I agree, and sometimes I disagree with their techniques and methods; various books do the same. Indeed, writing is a unique gift, one should write using his/her natural style!
(Dr Ahmed S. Khan - dr.a.s.khan@ieee.org - is a Fulbright Specialist Scholar, 2017-2021. Professor Khan has 35 years of experience in Higher Education as professor of Electrical Engineering. He is the author of many academic papers, technical and non-technical books, and a series of books on Science, Technology & Society (STS); his most recent books areMashriq-o-Mugrib Ki Mumtaz Shaksiaat (Prominent Personalities of the East and the West), and Nanotechnology: Ethical and Social Implications)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
