Srinagar, Sept 06: Kashmiri writer and columnist Fazl illahi on Thursday released his book, “The Signs” at an impressive function held here at Gulshan Books, Nehru Park.
Dr. Maroof Shah, Maajid Aslam Wafai, Executive Member KCCI, Tariq Bhat, Chairman IIS School and Feisal Wani, freelance writer were among the prominent people who attended the book releasing ceremony.
In his book Fazl illahi highlights the angst and pain of “Saleem”—the protagonist—grappling with ethical and teleological questions of life. Saleem keeps wading on the tracks of good and evil, vacillating until he stumbles on a mystic, who, during more than couple of meetings, transforms him, and makes him worthy to tap on the ‘signs’ in the universe. There are patches and traces of romance too in the plot where Saleem happens to meet Shahana, and their relationship is shown to deepen as the story advances.
“The novel highlights the bitter irony where it is mostly seen that honest people suffer and evil have their day,” said Fazl Illahi during an interview. “But truth must triumph in the end, if we want to make some teleological sense in this world. And most importantly this novel gives the message of love to me, to you, and to the east and the west. ‘Row love’ is the mystic’s message,” he adds with a smile.
“My book weaves the identity and the signs of Kashmir–the shikara, the heart shaped oar that our shikara wallas row with, the Wular–with the universal spiritual signs,” he concludes.
The author hails from Srinagar and teaches at Institute of Advanced Studies in Education, M.A. Road, Srinagar. He is presently working on a small book based on his collection of thoughts.
‘The Signs’ is also available on amazon, kindle, flipkart and bookstores in the valley.
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