Britain, my home away from home, is a cornucopia of diversity. What sets its capital, London, apart from other European capitals is the array of diaspora communities residing here. These multicultural communities play a vital role in the economic, social, political, and cultural fabric of the United Kingdom.
Renowned for its unparalleled inclusivity, London is also home to Pakistan’s creative and peripatetic diaspora. This book review aims to spotlight one such Pakistani-British individual who recently, albeit reluctantly, published two books. For bibliophiles like yours truly, exchanging books as gifts signifies deep literary connection and a unique bond between two book enthusiasts. This connection becomes even more profound when the books are written in the language of one’s homeland while residing in a foreign land. I had no inkling of Zeeshan Saquib Mian’s hidden talent until I was invited to attend the launching ceremony of his books ‘Main aur Mere Yaar ki Baatain’ (‘Conversations between me and my beloved”) and ‘Tootay Misray, Bay-tarteeb Harf’ (‘Broken verses, Scattered Words’). I was astonished to discover the literary side of Barrister Zeeshan when I began reading his poetry. A lawyer by day and a poet by night, he has gained recognition and is no longer in the realm of the Undiscovered
after the release of his books.
Born and raised in Pakistan, Barrister Zeeshan came to London for higher education, and now it serves as his second home. He graciously accepted invitations to join the prime-time talk show, which I produced and was hosted by the seasoned journalist and mentor to many, Mujahid Barelvi sahab. Our acquaintance
was initially rooted in his extensive knowledge of the Pakistani and British legal systems. However, through his poetry, he offers his readers a unique perspective on both the micro and macrocosm of divine providence. In the prelude of one of his books, he elucidates further: ‘Main aur Mere Yaar ki Baatain’ is, in fact, ‘an internal monologue that I have been writing in my diary. I did not consider it publishable, but my friends, who happen to be highly persistent and who also take keen interest in literature, opposed me. Thanks to their constant encouragement, I decided to get it published. And now, you have in your hands my thoughts, emotions, and innermost feelings composed in verses.’ Without further ado, here are some excerpts from his poetry that merit reading and admiration due to their exceptional style. His spiritual voice resonates throughout the book. An example is as follows as translated in English:
‘Your words are not the words of my Creator.
They belong to me and to my beloved
Why impose baseless verdicts upon me?
These are matters of affirmation, not denial’
‘How many worlds has the Creator created?
Is there any world that is not Yours?’
……
He declares his unconditional devotion to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) in the following short but sweet free-flowing four-line stanza:
‘The complete, perfect, and honored one
Peace be upon him
The seal of the prophets, Arab and
non-Arab
Peace be upon him’
…….
The Pakistani diaspora holds a deep love for their homeland, with their hearts beating fervently for Pakistan. Their worry and concern often surpasses that of resident citizens. Similarly, the poet in Barrister Zeeshan laments the unfortunate fact that despite a nation being one big family we are divided, and society is fractured beyond belief:
‘Whose gaze caused this jinx,
This nation continues to fall from grace.
Freedom was in two-nation theory,
Yet, divided is the nation entirely.
The remedy is abroad, the house is
abroad, everything is abroad,
They conduct transactions solely from
outside.’
………………..
The following verses reflect on his annoyance on the restrictions and lockdown during Covid-19 pandemic. It also highlights the lack of clarity and the blurred lines between reality and dreams in that
situation as social distancing became the new norm:
‘Restricted and housebound,
COVID is such a predicament,
There’s no clarity in consciousness,
Only a blend of reality and dreams.’)
……
Through these verses, his legal expertise shines as he asserts to God that His mercy surpasses His wrath:
‘When You are the Lord of the universe,
The light of the earth and the heavens,
Why can’t one be forgiven,
For sins are also Your creations.’
……
Barrister Zeeshan is indeed gifted with the best of both worlds. As a lawyer, he has a keen eye for detail and a mastery of language, enabling him to articulate complex legal arguments with clarity and precision. As a poet gifted with spiritual and literary acumen, he has a deep understanding of human nature and he tries to explore the system on a profound level. In the realm of Urdu literature, a glaring absence of writers and poets persists, spanning a variety from seasoned luminaries to budding talents. Yet, labelling
their works as inherently ‘good’ or ‘bad’ seems pointless. Each pen that dares to etch words onto the blank canvas of thought embodies a courageous act of self-expression. Writers and poets, as avid readers, transcend the ordinary monochrome to sculpt realms of imagination and colourful introspection.
Analysing their creations through a binary lens overlooks the value of their contribution to the world of literature. Instead, appreciation should reign, recognising their bold venture into uncharted territories of language, always leaving room for growth and refinement.
The contributor is a filmmaker based in UK and an independent writer.
