
Both for the reader who knows Perveen Shakir as well as the one who does not, the poems in this volume offer a glimpse into the full breadth of her work. Between the chilling piece that opens the collection, and the troubling finale, many poems here will surprise even those who are already familiar with her work in Urdu. There is the beguilingly titled 'Tomato Ketchup' which marches steadily on to its startling conclusion, and the endlessly nuanced 'Those with the Memory of Camels', which unveils a new shade upon every reading.Also included in this collection are some insightful and astutely observed portraits of ordinary men and women in society as well as well-known figures. Rendered with the lightness of a water colour, their readability draws us in, and makes it all the more impactful when the final irony of their situation strikes at closure.All said and done, her signature poems will, perhaps, always remain the ones in which she explores the full spectrum of feminine experience without apology, from its pleasures to its ordeals, and the range of roles it encompasses. Beyond any simplistic black and white notions of feminism and its implied denials, her embrace of womanhood is courageous and nuanced, comfortable with all its inherent contradictions, and revelling in every shade of its experience.The hallmark of her work is her poetic style - simple, and crisp. Her verse maintains an airiness and ease of touch at all times. Even when the realms she explores are inky and opaque, her words never become obtuse ('Macbeth', 'An Unearthly Night'). Similarly, in her shorter, tauter poems, where she plays with the gymnastics of a single sentence, the acrobatics of form do not eclipse the message, and these short pieces strike with the spontaneity of an overheard snippet from a conversation ('Tantrum', 'Reorienting Focus').
The collection captures the tension between societal expectations and the internal landscape of the feminine experience. Through a series of selected poems, the author navigates the complexities of womanhood, moving from personal intimacy to broader social observation. The work utilizes a crisp, accessible style to address themes of pleasure, ordeal, and the multifaceted roles women occupy within a traditional framework. The narrative voice remains consistent, balancing emotional depth with a detached, observational clarity that allows the irony of each situation to emerge naturally.
Readers and critics frequently highlight the accessibility of Shakir's verse, noting how she maintains a light touch even when addressing heavy or opaque subjects. Discussion often centers on her ability to explore the complexities of womanhood without relying on simplistic or dogmatic feminist tropes. Many appreciate the balance between her shorter, conversational pieces and the more expansive, nuanced explorations of memory and identity. The translation is often praised for preserving the spontaneity and crispness of the original Urdu, making the work impactful for both new and established readers. The collection is widely regarded as a significant entry point for those seeking to understand the breadth of her contribution to modern poetry.
Page Count:
308
Publication Date:
2019-10-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190700432
ISBN-13:
9780190700430
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!