A feeling of inferiority had taken root in the Urdu literary world that we were left empty-handed whenever the International Awards Festival was held, after which people lamented the narrowness of the Urdu language and even the creativity of Urdu writers. The question was raised.
This status quo was broken on Saturday evening by the English translation of Khalid Javed’s novel ‘Namatkhana’, which the writer and the entire community of Urdu literature is delighted with.
‘Namat Khana’ is Khalid Javed’s masterpiece which was translated into English by Baran Farooqui. He was honored with the JCB Literary Award on Saturday evening. The JCB Award, worth INR 2.5 million (Pakistani Rupees 6.6 million), is India’s highest literary prize, awarded annually to novels written in all Indian languages. Till date no Urdu novel has been shortlisted for this award, while this year the race for the same award included Gitanjali Shri‘s novel which has already been shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
Speaking to Independent Urdu, Khalid Javed said that this is the success of the entire Urdu world and the enthusiasm with which people are celebrating it is an indescribable joy. Although the debate is the culmination of the overall celebration, some Hasidians are deeply traumatized whose desperation can only be regretted. They should understand that this is not the success of Khalid Javed, but the success of the language in which he himself is writing.’
While receiving the award, Javed said that he never expected that his novel would win this award. We look for happiness in every single day and in different corners of our world. But today I feel real happiness. I wrote this novel in 2014 and today it has been recognized.’
Khalid Javed added that ‘the novel has been recognized for the award due to Baran Farooqui’s immense skill.’
Starting from 2018, the JCB Literary Award is given annually to an Indian author whose work of fiction has been published in English or in English translation that year. The judging committee initially selects ten books from which five are shortlisted. 25 lakh cash prize and trophy are given to the winning writer. If the book is translated from another language, an additional Rs 10 lakh is given in recognition of the translator’s skills.
Speaking to Independent Urdu, Khalid Javed said, ‘There was a competition with the best contemporary literature from about half a dozen states and 20 languages. Winning the award among all of them is an international recognition of the greatness of Urdu language.
Published in 2014, Nimat Khanagadu Mian’s story is an account of a socio-cultural context that has been lost in the distant past. Flowing in a grand philosophical narrative style, we follow Guddu Mian into the kitchen of his ancestral home. Now here comes the depressing, ugly and gruesome aesthetics associated with food and life. It seems that the real importance in the affairs of life lies in those things that we reject as disgusting and dirty.
The translator of the novel, Baran Farooqui, writes in the foreword of the English translation that Nimatkhana is ‘ridden with the consciousness of fear, disease and failure whose claws are attached to the evil inherent in human nature.’
This thing comes up frequently in his fictions and novels. Shamsur Rahman Farooqi’s essay ‘Death and Death Ki Kitab’ published in the affirmative actually covers the overall atmosphere of Khalid Javed’s fiction.
Farooqi Sahib writes that ‘Eating, digestion, adding to the filthiness of the world, intercourse, procreation, love and hatred of father and mother, and wonder and regret about the affairs of life, weakness or illness within oneself, These things we usually hide from others, and often from ourselves. Khalid Javed’s fiction insists that we make eye contact with these things, and recognize that all these things are at some level our own form or our own color. This is the reason why reading Khalid Javed gives panic and terror to those people who like to describe only the newspaper existence of life in fiction and that too simple and monotonous description.
Khalid Ahmed says he never expected his novel to win this honor (Raghib Akhtar/Creative Commons)
In this regard, while talking to Independent Urdu, Khalid Javed said that ‘the prevailing aesthetics in our country are of Ghazal poetry and not of society. Dirt is always present with society and man, it is an integral part of his life. I think an aesthetic that doesn’t shake you, doesn’t reveal existential dimensions, is not very effective, especially for contemporary fiction.’
Regarding self-criticism, he says that ‘there is some jealousy and some misunderstanding in it. Where my admirers are my strength, my haters are also my strength. As far as nasmajhi is concerned, they don’t know when rural scenery and simple narratives were abandoned. I can only pray for them, which I don’t think will harm them.’
Khalid Javed’s stature in contemporary fiction is increasing day by day. International recognition has only just begun, but his extraordinary contribution at the local level has long been appreciated.
When Independent Urdu contacted prominent contemporary critic Nasir Abbas Nair, he said that I have been convinced of Khalid Javed for a long time. I gave an opinion six or seven years ago and I still stand by it that ‘post-modern era’s deep insight, knowledge of its contradictions, its understanding of the formation of reality and presenting it in the language of fiction. Khalid Javed has such a talent, he is not a fiction writer in Urdu at the moment, on top of that, the soulful existential vision of his fiction in which the darkness of death and the struggle in relation to it is the special feature of Khalid Javed’s fiction. His writings are also unique in his sense of the delicately complex and strongly conflicting relationship between language and reality.
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Fiction writer and critic Syed Kashif Raza in his article ‘Khalid Javed’s Nimat Khana’ mentions the greatest merit of the said novel and writes that ‘It created a new concept to understand and explain life and then made it rich. spread in a manner and this concept came with its full justification in the novel.’ Khalid Javed’s prose is an effective weapon in creating a new concept of life and embracing it deeply and comprehensively. Regarding his prose, Farooqui Sahib writes that ‘Khalid Javed’s prose moves forward like a crab. Wrapping everything left and right and back and forth. His prose is also able to bear the burden of all kinds of undesirable things. The rhythm of this prose is very slow.
This slow rhythm of prose feels like a deceptive trap to ensnare the reader. When the reader is completely enthralled by his prose, he secretly drags him into the soul of the protagonist.
Here the question arises whether they have planned all this before writing the novel? Talking to Independent Urdu, he said that it is not so. ‘The first two or three pages are planned or the end, but the complete plot of the novel is not in my mind.’
Explaining his point, he says, ‘The end of the novel is like a destination where I have to reach but I don’t know by which routes. For me it’s not the destination that’s important but the paths and those paths are different techniques. Nothing but a fiction technique.’
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#Nimat #Khana #International #recognition #greatness #Urdu #language
2024-09-15 04:12:10
What is the significance of Khalid Javed’s novel “Namatkhana” winning the JCB Literary Award for Urdu literature?
Table of Contents
Historic Win: Khalid Javed’s Urdu Novel “Namatkhana” Bags Prestigious JCB Literary Award
For far too long, the Urdu literary world has harbored a sense of inferiority when it comes to international literary awards. It was often lamented that Urdu literature lacked the recognition it deserved on the global stage. However, this notion has been shattered with the English translation of Khalid Javed’s novel “Namatkhana” winning the coveted JCB Literary Award, a feat that has brought immense joy and pride to the entire Urdu literary community.
The JCB Literary Award, worth INR 2.5 million (approximately Pakistani Rupees 6.6 million), is India’s highest literary prize, awarded annually to novels written in all Indian languages. This year, Khalid Javed’s “Namatkhana” emerged as the winner, surpassing stiff competition from over half a dozen states and 20 languages. The novel, originally published in 2014, was translated into English by Baran Farooqui, who has done an exceptional job in capturing the essence of the original work.
A Novel that Defies Conventional Norms
“Namatkhana” is a unique and thought-provoking novel that delves into the socio-cultural context of a bygone era. The story follows Guddu Mian into the kitchen of his ancestral home, where the grand philosophical narrative style reveals the dark, ugly, and gruesome aesthetics associated with food and life. The novel is a scathing critique of societal norms, where the importance of life lies in the things we often reject as disgusting and dirty.
Baran Farooqui, the translator, aptly describes the novel as “ridden with the consciousness of fear, disease, and failure, whose claws are attached to the evil inherent in human nature.” This theme is a recurring motif in Khalid Javed’s fiction, as observed by Shamsur Rahman Farooqi in his essay “Death and Death Ki Kitab.”
A Victory for the Entire Urdu Literary Community
Khalid Javed’s win is not just a personal achievement but a triumph for the entire Urdu literary community. In an interview with Independent Urdu, Javed expressed his gratitude, stating, “This is the success of the entire Urdu world, and the enthusiasm with which people are celebrating it is an indescribable joy.” He also acknowledged the immense skill of translator Baran Farooqui, saying, “The novel has been recognized for the award due to her immense skill.”
The JCB Literary Award is a testament to the power and beauty of Urdu literature, which has finally received the recognition it deserves on the international stage. This win has injected a new sense of confidence and pride among Urdu writers and literature enthusiasts, shattering the misconception that Urdu literature is limited in its scope and appeal.
A Boost to Urdu Literature
Khalid Javed’s win has opened up new avenues for Urdu literature, paving the way for more recognition and accolades. It is a beacon of hope for young Urdu writers, who can now aspire to achieve similar heights. The JCB Literary Award has not only recognized the excellence of “Namatkhana” but has also put Urdu literature on the global map.
Khalid Javed’s historic win is a significant milestone in the world of Urdu literature. It is a celebration of the language, its power, and its ability to transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries. As the Urdu literary world basks in this glory, we can only hope that this win will inspire more writers to produce works of exceptional quality, further enriching the world of Urdu literature.
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* Shamsur Rahman Farooqi
Urdu Literature Makes History: Khalid Javed’s ‘Namat Khana’ Wins Prestigious JCB Literary Award
For long, the Urdu literary world felt inferior to other languages when it came to international awards. However, this perception has been shattered with the historic win of Khalid Javed’s novel ‘Namat Khana’ at the prestigious JCB Literary Award. This is a monumental achievement, not only for Khalid Javed but also for the entire Urdu literary community.
Breaking the Status Quo
The JCB Literary Award, worth INR 2.5 million (Pakistani Rupees 6.6 million), is India’s highest literary prize, awarded annually to novels written in all Indian languages. Till date, no Urdu novel had ever been shortlisted for this award, let alone win it. This year, however, Khalid Javed’s ‘Namat Khana’ broke the mold, leaving behind a host of other novels, including Gitanjali Shri’s Booker Prize-shortlisted novel.
A Novel with a Difference
‘Namat Khana’ is a masterpiece that delves into the socio-cultural context of the past, presented in a grand philosophical narrative style. The novel takes the reader on a journey into the kitchen of the protagonist’s ancestral home, where the ugly and gruesome aesthetics of food and life are laid bare. The translator of the novel, Baran Farooqui, describes ‘Namat Khana’ as a novel ridden with the consciousness of fear, disease, and failure, whose claws are attached to the evil inherent in human nature.
International Recognition
Khalid Javed’s win is not just a victory for him but also for the Urdu language and its literary community. This international recognition is
