Chalta Musafir / چلتا مسافر

by Altaf Fatima

چلتا مسافر مشرقی پاکستان کے المیے کے پسِ منظر میں لکھا گیا ناول ہے۔ بہاری مسئلے اور سقوطِ ڈھاکہ کو اس سے پہلے نہ ہی بعد میں کسی نے اس تناظر میں سپردِ قلم کیا۔

Genres: Novels, Pakistan, Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Altaf Fatima (born 1927 in Lucknow, British India) was an Urdu novelist, short-story writer, and teacher (specializing in Muhammad Iqbal). Her novel Dastak Na Do ("Do not knock") is regarded as one of the defining works in the Urdu language. An adaptation was presented on Pakistan television and an abridged translation was serialised by the Karachi monthly, Herald.

Altaf Fatima was the second of four children born in a Muslim household in Lucknow, India, to Mohammad Fazle Amin and his wife Mumtaz Jahan.

She was living in Lahore, Pakistan at the end of her life, to where she had retired as a professor of Urdu, but continued her literary work.

Altaf Fatima's novel Dastak Na Do has been translated into English by Rukhsana Ahmed.

Reviews

[Abdul Wahid]

Title: Chalta Musafir
Author: Altaf Fatima

"Chalta Musafir" by Altaf Fatima is a captivating novel that takes readers on a poignant journey through the complexities of human relationships and the quest for self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of diverse landscapes and cultural nuances, the book masterfully weaves a tale that resonates with universal themes.

The narrative follows the protagonist, a wandering traveler, as he embarks on a physical and spiritual journey across varied terrains. Fatima's evocative prose paints vivid images of the places visited, allowing readers to vicariously experience the awe-inspiring beauty and challenges encountered along the way. The author's keen attention to detail creates a rich tapestry of emotions, making each destination a character in its own right.

At the heart of the novel is the exploration of the human psyche, as the protagonist grapples with the intricacies of relationships, identity, and the meaning of life. Altaf Fatima skillfully delves into the complexities of the human condition, offering readers a deep and introspective look into the protagonist's soul.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its diverse cast of characters, each with their unique stories and perspectives. The interactions between the protagonist and these characters add layers of depth to the narrative, fostering a sense of empathy and connection with the reader.

The pacing of "Chalta Musafir" is deliberate, allowing readers to savor the emotional and philosophical nuances embedded in the story. As the protagonist traverses physical landscapes, he simultaneously navigates the landscapes of his own mind, leading to moments of self-realization and enlightenment.

Altaf Fatima's writing style is poetic and thought-provoking, creating a lyrical atmosphere that elevates the narrative beyond a mere travelogue. The novel seamlessly blends elements of spirituality, philosophy, and human drama, making it a truly immersive reading experience.

"Chalta Musafir" is a testament to Altaf Fatima's literary prowess, showcasing her ability to craft a compelling narrative that transcends geographical boundaries. This novel is a must-read for those who appreciate a thoughtful exploration of the human experience and the profound insights that can be gained through travel and introspection.

[Osama Siddique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tanak Si Dibya Dib Dib Karay
Chalta Musafir Gir Gir Paray

And many a traveller does falter and fall as the utterly unconcerned tide of history turns in this brooding, deeply felt and melancholic narrative that sweeps the trauma, violence and displacement unleashed by the Partition of India as well as the sundering of 1971. At its heart in many poignant ways is the vivacious, tragic, orphaned, young widow Naseebia. Dark, attractive and able to sing bewitchingly, this poor young girl stoically and cheerfully faces up to multiple deep-seated prejudices of class and gender. She works for an affluent and educated Bihari Muslim family that took her in after she was orphaned. Married as a teenager her genial husband became a victim of religion-based riots. Having grown up together with the children of her employers and benefactors, she harbors in her heart a deep infatuation for Muzammil, the handsome, middle son of the family. He in turn is often irritable and dismissive of her and of course far removed by great gulfs of social status, education and family prestige. But to her shock he appears to respond to her devotion, though largely because he feels terribly sorry for her given how she is treated. Not just by the other servant women but even his own female elders, with her widowhood deemed somehow as her fault and baad karma that can taint others.

Altaf Fatima engagingly describes the sprawling bungalow, its urbane and educated inhabitants and the pre-Partition culture and traditional mode of living of a Bihari Muslim family. The eldest son Mudassir stays at and looks after their lands while the daughters are married off in Bengal and Punjab. Altaf Fatima's great strength lies in her character building of the core and extended family as well as the various others who live in the family. The dialogue - in a Muslim Bihari upper middle class variant of Urdu as well as the slang used by the servants - is always superbly lively. The era is that of growing talk of and agitation for not just independence from British rule but also Partition. Syed Sahib - the family head - is a staunch supporter of Muslim League and Altaf Fatima explores the deep, gnawing dilemmas faced by many as to choosing between the politics of the Congress or the Muslim League. Prevalent discriminatory attitudes towards young widows are staunchly opposed by the empathetic and genial Syed sahib. He reminds one of the generous and benevolent family head in Dastak Na Do. The mother Sarkar Begum, the grandmother Dadi Biwi, the elder brother Mudassir's wife Dulhan Begum, and various other female characters figure prominently in the novel.

The family women sense the infatuation between Naseebia and Muzammil and immediately take steps to halt the same. In any event, larger events swiftly overtake all of them and they render these insignificant. Deep political turmoil, insecurity and violence overtakes their lives and tragedy strikes again and again. The somewhat idyllic first one third of the novel thereafter gives way to Altaf Fatima chronicling the lives of Dulhan Begum (who loses her husband to riots), Naseebia, Muzammil and others, forced as they are to migrate to and eke out an existence in Bengal. This is the milieu and context of subsequent events, including Muzammil marrying his brother's widow, the growing prejudice against Bihari migrants and the subsequent othering, mistrust and divide that develops between communities that had stood together, only a quarter of a century earlier to carve out a separate homeland. Altaf Fatima is particularly brilliant in capturing the change in attitudes, growing bigotry and deepening alienation of the migrants, even as humane and noble souls on both sides overcome all this and continue to maintain old friendships ad display their humanity.

Naseebia the Poodni in the old Poodna Poodni stories of childhood, battles on, having moved in with an older man with children from a prior marriage whom she now fends for, and finding hardship at every turn. After that very brief flicker of a very different and glowing future when Muzammil had responded to her adulation, the mighty fates appear to resolutely ensure that she only has adversity in store for her. Like the riddle that she is fond of uttering, it is always pre-destiny, she wonders that rules out any human hopes for defying a tragic fate:

Na Lal Bagh Jaatay, Na Balam Kheera Khatay
Na Ungli Kat Tee, Naa Jaan Jati, Aai Hai!

In her vivid and evocative descriptions of Bengal, life goes on no matter how strained, and we are introduced to new characters denoting a younger generation - Bazlul, Salsabeel, Mudassir, Murli, and others. Altaf Fatima explores straining relationships and a society drifting apart on ethnic and linguistic lines. Bengali and Behari pitched against each other, whilst Mukti Bahni operates and the rulers and society in distant Punjab remain largely oblivious to how wide the chasm is becoming. Naturally, it makes individuals coming closer all the less unlikely and hazardous. Those who can get away try and get away and those left behind, face the debilitating uncertainty of future and increasing chances of a violent end. Brutal and heart-rending are events as the novel progresses, with blood and mayhem plaguing the gentle, romantic Bengali scenery. Displaying her cosmopolitanism and appreciation of multiple cultures, Altaf Fatima shares the common threads and inspiring features of Bengal, Bihar, UP and Punjab. As her Bihari characters face great uncertainty, time and again the lines that inspire Muzammil and that he feels completely depict their predicament, are those of the Punjabi Sufi poet Hazrat Sultan Bahu:

Shala Musafir Koi na Theeway, Kakh Jinhan thain bharay hoo
Taari Maar Uda na Bahu, aseen aapay uddan haray hoo

What a deft, sensitive & gifted writer Altaf Fatima was. We haven't sufficiently appreciated & celebrated her. #ChaltaMusafir a deeply emotional exploration of larger historical events sundering individual lives, challenges posed by prejudice, bigotry & othering, & the human spirit & ability to remain courageous, generous & noble when such attributes near extinct. A nuanced exploration of UP, Bihari, Bengali & Punjabi Muslim culture, this stays with you for its poignant moments, pervasive melancholy, & mystical insights.

[E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

الطاف فاطمہ کی کسی بھی کتاب کے بارے میں بات کرتے ہوئے میں یہ ضرور کہوں گی کہ اگر آپ نے انہیں نہیں پڑھا تو آپ کا اردو ادب کا مطالعہ ادھورا ہے۔ وہ ان چند مصنفین میں سے ہیں جن کے کردار اس قدر زندہ محسوس ہوتے ہیں کہ جیسے پڑھنے والے کی زندگی کا حصہ ہیں۔ بدقسمتی سے ادب میں الطاف فاطمہ کو وہ شہرت اور پذیرائی مل ہی نہ سکی جو ان کی تحریروں کا حق تھی۔

نہ لالہ باغ جاتے، نہ بالم کھیرا کھاتے
نہ اُنگلی کٹتی، نہ جان جاتی، آئے ہائے!

"چلتا مسافر" ان کی تحریر کردہ ایک ایسی داستان ہے جو تاریخ، تقسیم، جدائی، محبت، طبقاتی فاصلے، شناخت اور انسان کی بقا کی جدوجہد اور مسافرت کو ایک ساتھ بُن دیتی ہے۔ ناول کے دو حصے ہیں۔ پہلے حصے میں بہار کے ایک مسلمان خاندان کی روزمرہ زندگی، ان کے رشتوں، رسموں اور بدلتے سیاسی منظرنامے کا عکس ہے۔ دوسرا حصہ 1947 سے 1971 تک مشرقی پاکستان میں بہاری مسلمانوں پر گزرنے والے حالات کا المیہ بیان کرتا ہے۔

انسان رشتوں، یادوں زندگی اور حالات کے سفر میں مسلسل آگے بڑھتا رہتا ہے لیکن ہر سفر میں کچھ نہ کچھ "چھوڑنے" کا عمل بھی پوشیدہ ہے ۔ ہر نئی منزل پر کچھ نہ کچھ پیچھے رہ جاتا ہے۔ گھر، لوگ، احساسات، یہاں تک کہ خود کا ایک حصہ بھی۔ یہی چھوڑنے اور چلنے کا تسلسل دراصل زندگی ہے کہ انسان اس دنیا میں ایک مسافر ہی تو ہے۔ اس ناول کے کردار جیسے نصیبیا، مزمل، زہرہ، سید صاحب، سرکار بیگم، دلہن بیگم، مدثر، بذلل، سلسبیل، مُرلی بھی مسافر ہیں جو مسلسل حرکت میں ہیں۔

اس ناول کا مرکزی کردار سید مزمل حسین ہی میرا پسندیدہ کردار ہے۔ابتدا میں ایک زندہ دل اور جوش و جذبے سے بھرپور نوجوان ہے مگر حالات نے اس کے اندر ایک عجیب سی خاموشی بھر دی کہ جیسے اس سے چھینی گئی اس کی زندگی، اس کے خواب اور امنگ بھی ساتھ لے گئی۔ مزمل دراصل ایک مسافر ہے اور شاید یہی اس کی تقدیر ہے۔ سفر کرتے رہنا اور ہر موڑ پر کچھ پیچھے چھوڑتے جانا۔ یہی تقدیر اس کے بیٹے کی بھی ہے جو ایک اور "چلتا مسافر" بن کر زندگی کے راستوں پر نکل پڑتا ہے۔ مسافر کبھی رک نہیں سکتے، وہ چلتے رہتے ہیں۔

یہ ناول بہار اور ڈھاکہ کے مسلمانوں کی تہذیب اور روایات کی ایک بھرپور تصویر ہے۔ تقسیم کے وقت ہجرت اور فساد کے مناظر کی دلخراش عکاسی کی گئی ہے۔ الطاف فاطمہ نے نہایت باریک بینی سے دکھایا ہے کہ ہجرت، فساد، خوف اور تلخیوں کے باوجود زندگی آگے بڑھتی رہتی ہے۔ بذلل اور مرلی جیسے کرداروں کے ذریعے انہوں نے دکھایا ہے کہ نفرت کے درمیان بھی انسانیت کے چراغ بجھتے نہیں۔
شالا مسافر کوئی نہ تھیوے۔۔۔۔
مدثر نے جو خط مزمل کو اسلام آباد سے لکھا تھا، میں پڑھ کر بہت روئی۔ یہ اس ناول کا بہت تھوڑا حصہ ہے جو میں بیان کر سکی ہوں ورنہ اس ناول میں بہت کچھ ہے۔ ضرور پڑھیے۔

[Attia Zulfiqar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Style of Writing
Painful Tail about Dhaka fall
First Half of the Novel is very Nostalgic
Naseebiya and Muzamil ❣️

[Rahim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good novel to get an idea about the plight of Bihari community in pre and post partition Bangladesh. Even tho she softens the atrocities, but she also explains how rape, kidnapping and other heinous acts became a regular occurrence and part of life.