K. A. Abbas
was a master at writing short stories, presumably influenced by O. Henry. His
work presents a different picture of India and is mainly based on humanity. He
was the contemporary writer of that colonial India when the cinema used to run
in black and white. Reading K.A. Abbas means exploring the old culture of
India.
‘Sparrows’ is
a brilliant short story. Once, the story ‘Sparrows’ was conscripted in the
world’s best stories along with ‘The Lost Child’, written by Mulk Raj Anand.
A bit about
Sparrows
Rahim Khan,
the protagonist, is a stolid figure, almost devoid of emotions. He lives alone
and the whole village is fearful of him because he brutally beats children and
men on slightest pretexts. With time, he has grown so obtrusive and rough that
streaks of humanity have left him. Why is he like that?
During the
magnificence of his youth there was no one who could compete with him in the
wrestling and other sports. It's his deepest desire to join Circus folk. In
addition to that, he was also in love Radha, a Hindu girl. He being very true
to his soul wanted to marry her; however social and religious barriers slyly
ended his love affair. Since then Rahim Khan turned against his society to
where he's very much part of it.
At his
parents’ behest he marries a Muslim girl. Soon, a drastic but dark change takes
over him. So he tortures his wife and sons to such a degree that they all run
away. One rainy evening he discovers a nest of young sparrows, at first, he
wants to destroy it, but traces of hidden kindness stops him and he begins
feeling captivated by them. Being in acute solitude and loneliness, he likes
their chirping and often talks to them. One rainy evening, he feels the
privation of the drenching sparrows and then like their savior he repairs the
nest while allowing himself being drenched in the rain for long hours. Next
day, Rahim Khan dies of fever. Though Rahim Khan's fear to the villagers was
true, but it was his humanity that saved the lives of sparrows at the cost of
his own life.
This is one of the finest expression of humanity through robust and hard expressions. It is better to tab it as to grow flower on rock.
ReplyDeleteGood post
ReplyDeleteloved it its touches hearts.
ReplyDeleteoh yes
DeleteMind blowing .....touched very deeply
ReplyDeleteMind blowing
ReplyDeleteLoved it ...
ReplyDeleteHeart touching story.
ReplyDeleteAmazing story
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful story we read in our school days desires to read it again. The poet gives humanity top priority of life. Recently I allowed pigeon to breed eggs that she laid earlier in my flowery pots I saved them from rain by giving shelter. Now two brought up peigons ready to fly.
ReplyDeleteThanks to teaching of Abbas the great poet
V b kaushik
He dies???
ReplyDeleteyes
DeleteAwasome 🤗
ReplyDelete