Daily Times

Typically Tanya, a book by Taha Kehar is a comical satire. The author is a young budding journalist in the city of Karachi. He has also authored ‘Of Rift & Rivalry’ and ‘Typically Tania’ is his second work of fiction.

Published by Harper Collins with the cover design by Haitenlo Semy, the cover illustration speaks volumes about what the novel will be about. It delves deep into what the life of a journalist is like! Perhaps he seems to be speaking about his ow life.

The book opens on a note of argument between Mummy and Tanya as Tanya is trying frantically to get hold of a Careem driver.

Mummy offers relief to the reader from the grievances and troubles, the novel depicts. Yet as one tries to understand why Mummy is the way she is?

What is hidden behind her humour and chirpiness is a sorrow so deep. As she tries to hide her emotions behind façade of a happy and carefree present, at the same time the advice she gives Tanya is wrought with wisdom and intellect.

As Tanya tries to understand why she is the way she is-so irritable or rather arrogant and quarrelsome is and I quote:

“I’m one of whose sheltered journalists. You know the ones who hide behind their desks editing stories-cleaning and polishing them like they’re a pair of mud stained boots-instead of venturing out on hardcore assignments like their colleagues.”

However, she takes in her stride and I quote:

“Either way I begin to enjoy the stress, ambiguity and challenges that come with being a sub.”

Tanya wants more from life. She is ambitious and wants fame and independence. As the shrilling conversation with her other about the safety of Careem drivers, she does begin to value her mother’s advice & I quote:

“What if Bakhtu Bhai is actually the one of those gangsters like those in Bollywood movies. Mummy loves? Worse, what if he’s a militant who escaped the tribal areas enjoy, he stress ambiguities and challenges that come with a being a sub after the Operation?

“I wonder if Bakhtu Bhai will open new doors for me…to advance my career prospects.’

The contradiction in both dialogues is apparent. Whilst Tanya tries to accept her mother’s advice at the same time she cannot come to terms with her own conflicting thoughts. What she chooses, her mother’s advice or her own intuition is a question I will not answer! Read the book & find out for yourself!

As the book takes us through the journey into the life of a journalist it comes across many political, international and social issues. As Alan Trump, one of the foreigners who have come to reform the education system. As Tanya a carefree, flirtatious woman makes her way through the ebb and flow of life the emptiness and isolation within her reveals itself and I quote:

“Why shoudn’t I shop around? If Sonia can marry a flirt & Khirad can fool around with her boss, why should I be left behind? It’s not like I’m hunting for Mr Right Now. It would be best if people learnt to mind their own business.’

The focus shifts to the concept of arranged marriage. Tanya is vehemently against it.

“The woman thinks that all I need to catch an eligible boy is a slim figure,’ says Tanya which is partly right.

“Mummy is too classy to opt for Rishta aunty,” says Tania immediately regretting what she has said sounding at once elitist.

As the city’s water woes and other environmental problems are brought in the forefront in the conversation between the Careem driver and Tanya takes an interesting turn. Both support Imran Khan and both ask her same question?

“Will Imran Khan bring his tabdeeli?”

How the friendship between Sonia & Tanya falls out is something that is uncovered through the course of the novel. As to why it happens and I quote:

“Sonia who also has a narcissistic streak, was doing the same thing…we had smiled at each other and instantly connected and in sync. We’ve been friends since’ and ‘I can’t let such an old friendship go.’

“Everyone deserves closure even if they fling their sandals at a friend and insist on judging people based on what their parents did?”

“As I lie in bed and ponder over the experiences I’ve been through today-Sonia’s lost sandal and the virulent temper, Khirad’s confession about the affair between her and Hassan, Topsy’s and Saad’s elopement. I jab a finger… across my forehead to ease my migraine. As sleep lays over me in its benevolence, I wonder if I did the right thing by accepting Topsy’s invitation. Will Sonia catch me at the party and throw another shoe at me.”

Who are Khirad, Saad, Sonia, Hafeez, Hassan, Topsy & Mopsy? Are they all friends, colleagues, relatives? Who are they? I will not answer as that will rob the novel of all its excitement and mystery.

From the heavy- laden issues comes forward another heavy matter except that which is coated with sugary words and an overblown drama.

“If mummy at her designer best-is a model in a L’Oreal commercial, Step-Mummy’s the ‘before’ section of the add. Maybe daddy was feeing nostalgic and missed Mummy’s youthful gawkiness.”

As Tanya thinks to herself and I quote:

“I should Google some mental asylums ..add mummy and then pretend I can’t visit her because the security situation in her is abysmal. Then I would no longer have to watch her drink daal.”

The dialogue tells of the selfishness and impatience the upcoming generation has in general. Values and morals of respect, kindness, caring and sharing, honesty are all virtues that are dying. Whether or not the novel promotes or negates the question of love vs ambition is a question posed to the reader!

The author again gives us an insight into Tanya’s life ad I quote:

“Why expect match making to happen in heaven when you can bring 2 people together on earth with a couple of tequila shots?”

An Indian Journalist, Inder comes to work in the same firm as Tanya. As a relationship of trust and friendship sows the seed for love, Tanya is able to overcome the challenge of not falling for any guy even be it the man of her dreams! She is determined and believes the best will come to her in time. She just needs to wait with faith for it to happen!

As the conversation shifts to the professional life, Inder is impressed with Tanya’s sense of humour and wittiness. As she turs the slogan by Trump upside down and I quote

‘Make America Great Again, Make America Date Again’ to ensure everyone has access to roti, kapra, and a hunky jawaan.’ The sarcasm hidden in the lines is apparent and self-explained.

The book opens on a note of argument between Mummy and Tanya as Tanya is trying frantically to get hold of a Careem driver

As the differences between Inder, Hafeez, Saad & Tanya begin to dampen the relationship with each other, Khirad appears to save the dying relations.

” Tomorrow is Eid. You have to turn a new leaf No point in crying over people who throw shit at you.” As Khirad offers comforting words, Tanya slips into a war slumber.

She reflects upon mind and soul & questions?

“Have Sonia and I always have been in a stiff competition for the same man. As I lift the pages of my own diary Sonia and I are still trapped in the same dilemma.”

As Saad cheats upon Bina, his wife, it leaves a bad taste in Tanya’s mouth and she cannot even believe she had once been attracted to this morally wrong idiot who lacks stability.

Inder offers comfort:

“I will cure you. Heal you from all those bad experiences.”

And Tanya replies sarcastically:

“The last thing I need is a saviour.”

As the relationship between Topsy & Bilal is based on compromise instead of love, the way Topsy handles it is an eye opener and seen from Tanya’s perspective and I quote:

“If only Sonia was as progressive as Topsy & understood that sometimes a flexible relationship works in everyone’s favour, we’d still be friends.”

As Hassan continues to give Tanya boring and dull assignment’s she finds the courage to resign when Hassan asks her to publish a story on the cover page which will affect her best pal Khirad’s reputation!

It is here that she seeks her mother’s help and I quote:

“Gossip isn’t every one’s cup of tea. And Mummy’s’ brew is a lot stronger because she has direct access to the concerned party. So would be able to get all he answers directly from Bina Hassan.”

As Sonia is distraught over Hassan’s betrayal Tanya advises her to move on.

“Self-pity won’t help you, Sonia. What you need to do is move on.”

Finally tired of Hassan’s bossy and rude demeanour, Tanya quits her job and Mummy is not happy.

“Beta you’re too young for principles. You should never leave a decent job. What are you going to do now? Should I start looking for boy?”

As new prospects open up for Tanya she is perplexed by the conflicting emotions and voices inside her head and soul.

“How can I write a piece with Inder when I’m, trapped in my ivory tower where not even a murmur of what lies outside can be heard?”

Tanya is now jobless that helps her turn into a new leaf.

“A fresh skin that can flaunt with renewed confidence.”

As Sonia and Hassan fall apart, Tanya moves on to new avenues and the relationship between mother and daughter becomes more wholesome, the change that comes is positive. Bad memories are left behind in the pursuit of a better and happier future.

As Tanys reflects on the happenings of the past she questions herself & I quote:

“I who’s going to be next to fall victim to this season of senseless heartbreak.”

Hassan from being the apple of every girl’s eye has made a complete fool out of himself. His clownish antics and idiotic behaviour earns him disrespect and a bad reputation and Tanya is all too alarmed at how she could’ve ever fallen for someone like Hassan-a dumb wit!

“How do I react to this imbeciles’ rubbish? He’s been shifting from one woman to the other like we’re part of a Rolodex. Mummy is right when she says that when the un-deserving are allowed access to a diamond, they don’t know what to do with it and eventually let it slip it into the wrong hands.”

“I hope Bina divorces Hassan for a younger man. Now that would be the best form of revenge.”

As Tanya puts her past behind, and learns to accept life as it comes in its stride she says and I quote:

“After a while indifference becomes an elixir for the soul.” It gives her the courage to protect herself till she is ready to face the facts and reality of the world.

As Inder, appreciates the original idea Tanya comes up with he asks her to write a column every week under the heading “Typically Tanya”, who has the reservations of being too honest such as to hurt or vilify the sentiments of others, Inder asks her to “create her own boundaries.”

As the novel ends, Tanya finally finds fulfilment and satisfaction.

“I type keenly as I write the final sentence; a halo of smoke surrounds me, dancing over my head like a ghost. Its scent clings to my shirt and stays with me until I leave the room.”

Unlike in the past when and I quote:

“Sleep may have knocked on the doors and windows of my mind, only to find itself barred by my questions without answers. They have bolted all the doors and I am now trapped in a world of insecurity,” Tanya now can sleep a sound peaceful sleep.

After having surpassed all the barriers and limitations of life, she finally has the courage to resist temptation and create her own comfortable space of being “Typically Tanya.”

A great book with an originality that is spellbinding!

The writer can be reached at beenishmhmd@gmail.com