Mujh Pe Jafa Aur Sahi
By S.H. Jafarey
Al Hamd Publications
ISBN: 978-969-23244-1-0
128pp.

Satire is more than just humour. It is an effective social commentary, a means through which society’s follies, ills and absurdities are pointed out, usually with an intention to reform them. However, contrary to its apparently effortless and humorous exterior, it is quite a difficult art, which requires a deep understanding of society, a sharp wit and a mastery over language.

When I picked up S.H. Jafarey’s Mujh Pe Jafa Aur Sahi, a collection of satirical essays along with general ones on different topics, I looked forward to enjoying a light and entertaining collection. However, I couldn’t find what I anticipated — the humour and wit in the book seems to be falling short at most places.

The bite of satire also feels quite ineffective, for good and effective satire often relies on a combination of wit, a deep insight and clever wordplay. The comparisons, the language, the effort to produce laughter and irony, all seemed not to be working in most of the essays in the book.

The particular lack I feel here is of new and deep insights into human behaviour and society. This is the author’s fourth book. A banker by profession, he writes as a hobby and is said to be a reclusive, quiet sort, who doesn’t like drawing much attention to himself; he is usually found among those taking up the back seats at programmes or gatherings. That would indicate he is more of an observer with depth of thought, but that doesn’t seem to be reflected in this book. His pieces seem to rely on very general things, which make the intended satire feel weak.

A collection of Urdu essays that combines satirical pieces with personality sketches and travelogues mostly misses the mark

Another challenge his latest essays face is the lack of originality, as most of the things mentioned or the subjects taken up have quite a predictable outcome, or are a simple criticism on issues such as corruption, bribery, lawlessness and the incompetence of the state institutions in Pakistan, etc. Some are sketches of different personalities the author knows, whereas others are kinds of travelogues.

That said, the book is not a total loss. There still are a few essays that may be seen as “satirical” in the proper sense of the word. For example, ‘Kya Khaaon?’ delves into the quality of edible things in Pakistan. The author exposes the contamination of food items, from donkey’s meat that is used instead of mutton to vegetables grown in sewage water. With no one to be trusted with food items in this country, it is better to consume just air, but then one realises that the air also is not pure. It, too, is polluted.

Another essay titled ‘Ghussa’ explores anger through different angles and explains its nuances in a thought-provoking and amusing manner. Dissecting various expressions of anger in his Petri dish, Jafarey looks at why anger manifests differently among individuals. The clever use of words and metaphors adds a layer of wit to the exploration of this universal emotion.

‘Biwi’, another essay, focuses the comedic lens on better halves, with some witty reflections on the portrayal of marital dynamics.

Meanwhile, the opinion-driven narratives on general topics include ‘Idaray’, ‘Traffic’ and ‘Breaking News’. In ‘Idaray’ the author explains the deplorable state of the country’s government institutions. Similarly, he laments the worsening condition of Karachi’s traffic in ‘Traffic’. ‘Breaking News’ has him scrutinise the national media’s unfeeling, mechanical reporting of tragic events.

I’m tempted here to draw certain comparisons. Mushtaq Ahmed Yousufi’s essay ‘Sibghay and Sons’ tells a simple story of a bookstore owner, but it is greatly enjoyed by readers as it can produce fits of laughter just because of its wit and deep observation of human behaviour by its writer, clearly evident not only in this essay but throughout his other works, too.

Another renowned Urdu satirist, Patras Bukhari, criticises the deplorable state of Lahore. But his critique is accompanied by such clever wordplay, hyperbole, comparisons, etc, that the reader is sure to enjoy it. After all, it’s not without reason that it, along with his other essays, are still widely read and are part of syllabi in many educational institutions.

As mentioned earlier, the book also includes character sketches and travelogues. These are reflections of Jafarey’s encounters and journeys over the years. They provide a refreshing break from the heavier themes. However, their inclusion diversifies the collection, making the overarching tone feel somewhat disjointed.

Perhaps, it would be right to call this book a literary kaleidoscope that attempts to blend humour, satire and opinion.

The reviewer is a member of staff.

X: @WaqasAliRanjha

Published in Dawn, Books & Authors, December 31st, 2023