A Cry in the Bewilderment

 

The well-known publishing house of the upper Sindh, the Mehran Academy in Shikarpur has revived the old tradition of the historic town. So far that important organization has been able to boast nearly 300 books on a wide variety of subjects including Islam, history and literature. The promoters of the Sindhi language and literature have taken yet another most rewarding step. In the memoriam of Centenary celebrations of the distinguished writer, journalist and intellectual Muhammad Usman Diplai (1980-1981), the Academy with a single stroke, has issued reprints of nine earlier books of the author‟s literary career.

 The reprints under reference distinctly fall into two categories: five novels and four Islamic biographies of high merit. The author Muhammad Usman Diplai hailed from a poor family of Memon community of Diplo, a small village in Thar, hence „Diplai‟ now a generic name for that community.

 For Diplai, writing was a mania from his childhood. Gifted with sharp memory, he could memorize anything he heard and read. Based on his observation and study, little boy Muhammad Usman wrote interesting and witty stories in his beautiful handwriting and made multiple copies for circulation among teachers and students of his school. The return in terms of appreciation was extremely encouraging which transformed poor boy into a writer, printer and publisher of future. As well as a prolific writer, his printing and publishing carry immense literary and cultural value.

The period between 1922 and 1936 were the years of self development and self-discovery for young Muhammad Usman. At the time, he was better known as “Khaksar.” During that period he published interesting short stories which appeared in Sindhi and Urdu journals. He also won the Muslim Adabi Society prize in 1936 for writing a small book on the Quranic Prayers. In 1938 Diplai re-discovered his literary ambitions and began to shape fictions that would appear from his own Islamia Darul-Ishayat (1938) and Adar-e-Insnayat (1953), which lasted until his death in 1981. Very widely known as „Maulvi Diplai‟ he was wedded to liberalism and humanism. The impact of his writings was dramatic. His aim was educating the Muslim youth through literature, the act which turned the neighboring Hindus his rivals. In order to face them, he displayed amazing courage. The powerful opponents failed to coerce him. He refused to change himself because his conscience was crystal clear as a writer and journalist. Written under strong conviction of changing the Muslim youth, five novels under review depict the rise of Muslim power in Europe, Africa and Asia.

These are based on the pan-Islamic movement supporters like Mualana Shrar and others. However, Diplai masterfully displays his own brand of humour, wit and creativity. He profusely quotes from the Holy Quran and Sindhi poetry of Shah Bhitai, Muhammad Khan „Ghani,‟ „Lutuf‟, Hafiz Hamid, Mulana Ahmed Malah, “Agha‟ and others at appropriate places. Diplai wrote more than one hundred novels. Of them five earlier works namely Akhri Umaid, Neel Kunwar, Cheen jo Chand, Afrika ji Shazadi and Duktar-e-Islam have been now reprinted by the Mehran Academy, Shikarpur.

 In the pleasing getup and impressive format, the books are placed in a vibrant and colorfully decorative case. The novels can briefly be introduced one by one as under:

 Akhri Umaid: It is the vivid account of kind and compassionate treatment of Muslim warriors towards the captive princess Merona and other ladies of the Harem of the Christian king. The valour of Muslim soldiers in the battlefield is mixed with creative genius of Diplai who profoundly displays the same in the novel. First published in 1940 from Aftab Printing Press, Hyderabad, it sold rapidly and re-appeared in 1944 and 1946. Surfacing again in August 2008, as a token of love and respect for the celebrated writer, the colorful reprint is priced at Rs. 30.

 Neel Kunwar: This important novel carries forward the exploits of Muslim commander Amro bin al-Ass during the Egyptian expeditions. The story revolves around an astonishing tale of human sacrifice to the great River Nile for rise of its waters. Through this novel one moves into the ancient civilization of the world and its strange tradition before the coming of Islam. First published in July 1941 and subsequently issued in 1944 from Islamia DuralIshayat Mirpurkhas/Hyderabad, it has now appeared in the in the changed format and print run of 1100 being sold at Rs.30 a copy.

 Cheen jo Chand: The novel is based on yet another amazing tradition of China, the ancient civilization of the world. The writer successfully evokes the interest of the reader into strange ritual through which the bride is snatched away from the public gathering by the mightiest young man. The book tells us about unethical tradition of „might is right‟ which was banned with the rise of Islam in Kashgar. Full of adventure, romance and vaulting ambitions, the amazing tale was first published in 1944. It has now reappeared after a long period of 44 years and is sold at Rs.24.

 Afrika ji Shazadi: In this small novel, the writer has successfully aroused the curiosity of the readers towards what was happening in the Dark Continent before Islam went there. The story revolves around the antagonism of Emperor Gregory against Muslims and the exploits of the Muslim Army under the command of Abdullah bin Umar there. Amid the love and hate story, the novel unveils for the first time, wonders of Africa to the Arabs. The first three prints of this successful book appeared in 1941, 1945 and 1948. The present printing with colorful cover is offered for sale at Rs.30.

 Dukhtar-e-Islam: This small novel is not much different from its predecessors. In the setting of Muslim expeditions against strong Roman Empire in Syria, the book carries forward the tale of strong convictions and amazing courage of the Muslim soldiers. The Christian populace moaning under the heels of tyrant rulers takes a sigh of relief under new conquerors who shower high moral sentiments upon the oppressed Syrian public. The successful novel appeared three times during the life time of the author in 1942, 1944 and 1947 from his own Islamia Darul-Ishayat. In the colorful cover the present edition is priced at Rs.24. By the end of the Second World War Diplai‟s career as a writer and journalist, were scaling new and unprecedented heights. Re-adjusting himself to social reformation, liberalism, humanism and Sindhi nationalism he selflessly served the nation. The subtle wit and humour always reminded hallmarks of his writings.

(By: Dr. Allah Rakhio Butt)