Professor Zameer Hussain Naqvi was in universities of Lancaster, Leeds and Newcastle, UK, for higher studies and in the process visited the northern areas of UK during weekends and vacations, as he liked to explore new places. On his return from the UK, he came out with a book titled Nighe Deeda-e-Tasveer based on his travelling. Dr Agha Suhail in his article in the book under review observes that the book basically portrays the wisdom of the writer while writing his impressions rather than becoming a victim of emotions that he underwent while seeing new places and meeting alien cultures. The style of individual travelogues vary as much as the reasons for travelling do. Professor Naqvi’s endeavour is not merely to seek pleasure, nor even profit; he goes much beyond that to delve into the inexplicable and yet more than obvious pearls of wisdom.
As a sample, this reviewer shall pick up the first section of the book titled the same as the book. The start of the first chapter pictures the scenic beauty of Newcastle upon Tyne, where the author was studying, by pointing towards the imposing towers of Lumley Castle, tall factory chimneys, the mysterious river Tyne, “pageantry of mist” on the surface of water, water front cranes, a grandiose cathedral, and a crumbling Dominican church. In the words of Saif Ullah Khalid, Naqvi’s art shines in the travelogue while picturing the scenic beauty. While writing his experiences, Naqvi also demonstrates the knack of giving a literary touch to romance. Sometimes he enters into a monologue wherein his pen portrays his conversation with himself.
The second chapter titled ‘Aik Chehkta Mehkta Sheher’ continues with Naqvi’s exploration of the city. He aptly quotes the famous Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho: “A city is like a capricious woman: she takes time to be seduced and to reveal herself completely.” Naqvi is sure that this capricious woman of Newcastle surrendered herself to him completely. The architecture of the city starting from the Railway Station, Royal Shakespearean Company’s theatres, Dominican Church near Coach Station, St Nicolas Cathedral in Collingwood Street, the old town near cathedral, the beautiful Jesmond Dene Park and Eldon Square, the shopping centre, invited Naqvi’s attention. It was in this city that Naqvi came across another Pakistani student. Naqvi states that the original habitants of Newcastle are Geordies who are traditionally known to be happy-go-lucky people.
Before departing for Britain, Naqvi had read some literature introducing the university. A neighbouring village was described in very enchanting terms. When Naqvi with his Spanish friend Kate drifted to this village they found it be a glass room with 200 ducks as its inhabitants. Naqvi also mentions a Scot colleague’s impressions of Newcastle as an ugly patch of the world as compared to lush green Scotland. Naqvi, however, felt differently when he bade goodbye to Newcastle.
He has gone into the details of his university education experience from chapter titled ‘Iko Alaf Terey Darkaar’ onwards. He has given very interesting and enlightening account of some of the subjects he was exposed to, e.g. varieties of English including some strange creoles and pidgins. Naqvi remembers fondly his teachers such as skills and second language acquisition teacher Dr Francis Jones wearing earrings, the smiling history of linguistics teacher Dr Phillip Car, and Ms Joan Beal, teaching subcontinental varieties of English, who was influenced by Italian dance.
Naqvi’s yaadnama (reminiscence) is a very interesting reading with personal impressions of whatever was going on, relating events or places with dual interest in the western as well the subcontinental literature. The second part, titled ‘Dil Dhoondeta Hei Phir Wohi Fursat Kei Raat Din’ (taken from Ghalib’s couplet), deals with Naqvi’s visit to Leeds and the third portion is titled ‘Ban Baas Ka Aik Din’ that gives Naqvi’s impressions of exploring the woods namely Kielder Forest accompanied by outing-thirsty class fellows. It was located 60 miles away from Newcastle upon Tyne. It was found to be a natural jungle where pine and cedar trees swing with the blowing winds and falling rain most of the time. Ahead, one found in the jungle a lake called Kielder Water. The group got a chance of fishing as well. The fourth portion is titled ‘Sheher-e-Arzoo’ which is based on his visit to York. It is known as a city of narrow lanes, drooping walls of the old houses, and floors made of small sized bricks. Naqvi’s teacher had named this city as ‘history-soaked York’. Naqvi recalls the centuries-old battles among the English and Scandinavians. He also discusses the colloquial English spoken in York. ‘Sard Sa Aik Din’ is the name of fifth chapter. It gives Naqvi’s experiences of travel from Newcastle to Leeds. He recalled Charles Dickens who had termed this city “as the beastliest place, one of the nastiest he knew”. These impressions of Naqvi date back to 1987. However, his remembrance of Oxley Hall of Leeds University is favourable as against that of Dickens.
Knowing that real life is filled with talk, Naqvi has used dialogue frequently in the narrative. It allows the readers to experience events almost as if they were happening. Through careful and precise language, he is able to transport his readers vicariously into the joy-scented presence of the international students in English classrooms.
For a person of Zameer Naqvi’s stature, who is the professor of English at the famous Forman Christian College, Lahore, coming out with this very interesting discourse of his studies and impressions of the English land and people during his holidays, is a very unique and absorbing experience. His efforts deserve positive reception for living up to the spirit of Ghalib’s couplet ‘Shauq us dasht mein dorhaye hei mujh ko keh jehan/ Jada, ghair az nigha-e-deeda-e-tasveer nahin’ (Passion makes me run across the wild where/ Pathway is no more real than sight in the eye of a picture) from which the title of the book has been derived.
The reviewer is based in Lahore and can be reached at [email protected]