Recently on a book store, I saw newly published copies of Ibn-e-Safi’s novels. Upon enquiring, I was told ppl still buy his books….atleast I was a little surprised bcos some of his novels r almost 50 years old.
Although, we have some really big names when it comes on poetry, critics, philosophical writings, but Urdu literature hardly has any espionage/suspense literature available. There is some kiddie story series, & most of the todays literature & suspense (jasoosi) novels use Ibn-e-Safi’s characters.
It’s tough for me to answer, when the question arise, is it a limitation of Urdu language? or a limitation of writers abilities? who r unable to write good literature in this area. Or perhaps it is the culture, a society which fails to provide them good grounds to produce an interesting plot for the novels.
From the same bookstore I bought one of his books which contained 3 novels. Those were written in mid 50’s but still readable. Most of the things he imagined about technological advancements r in use of common men today, such as he speaks about a special kind of a phone agencies use which also show u a person’s video. Some stories start as Sci. Fic. Or kinda X-Files type cases. In characters thought process he often confuses reader by mentioning various possibilities in the light of the incidents & investigation. & there r no intimate or sexual moments in his novels.
Some of his ever lasting characters which most other writers still use, such as Col. Faridi, a Sherlock holms type detective. Ali Imran, a spoiled son of Director General of Police yes a stupid character, but no one knows he works for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a Chief of the Department’s Secret Service, under the code name X-2.
In the list of the bad guys two of his famous characters were Sung Hi, an international terrorist who actually was never caught, even not by col. Faridi or Imran himself. Madaam Thersia, leader of another international terrorist group, the members used to say they r the citizens of “Zero Land” but no one actually knew if it was a physical location or just imaginary. She was never arrested either, Infact, she could have killed Imran many times in different novels but why she didnt is another topic which writer has explained.
Anyways, the point being is why couldnt we have those legendry characters who become reality? there r many examples in english literature. Why this part of our literature is dead, if ibn-e-safi was able to write those books which ppl still buy today after 50 years why not any other writer ?
), that it’s just not a money-maker, etc.. then again it doesn’t matter what the genre is for publication coverage to be lousy over there.
…TRIBUTE TO HIM…