Humorist Mujtaba Husain on America
Mujtaba Husain’s new book “America Ghas Kat Raha Hai” gives the readers a rollicking, rib-tickling entertainment sprinkled with thought-provoking observations. It carries 38 of his articles written about his experiences and reflections during his three trips to the US in recent years. Most of the articles were written during his last trip in 2008.
Mujtaba Hussain is acknowledged now as one of the twin towers of humor in Urdu at the present time - the other being Mushtaq Ahmad Yousifi. Both will survive in the history of Urdu literature as the language’s outstanding wits.
The wonder of the compilation under review is that it weaves an interesting web of anecdotes, humor, wit, satire and situational oddities by the pen of an eminent writer who has to his credit two dozen books and the much-coveted award, Padma Shri, conferred on him by the Indian government. He offers tongue in cheek views of various facts of life in America, and graphic descriptions of the bounties that nature has granted the country. Readers who have already spent long stretches of time in this country might find the takes of Mujtaba at odds with their own impressions and some times even illogical. But, if you pause and think, you will find considerable sense in his non-sense.
It takes a rare writer of humor to synthesize Shaukat Thanavi, Mirza Farhatullah Beg, Kaniyalal Kapur and his contemporary and much-acclaimed writer Mushtaq Ahmnad Yousifi. You notice glimpses of these and numerous other Urdu’s great wits in the writings of Mujtaba. Urdu literature is quite rich in the genre of humor, and Mujtaba has expanded further its dimensions and added significantly to its treasure trove.
If you find fun in logical conundrums and absurdities, you will find plenty in this book. I had a wonderful time reading this witty book and I am sure you will too. Even God loves jokes, Plato believed.
The articles may be divided into three categories, content-wise: literary functions held in his honor, reunion with relations and friends and travel accounts from his peculiar perspective; the laudable aspects of the country and its people; and the follies and fumbling of America in foreign affairs.
Mujtaba’s reputation has always traveled far ahead of his visit to the US, with the result that devotees of the Urdu language manage to arrange literary functions in his honor to meet and listen to him. He had to attend, during his last visit in 2008, so many of such functions and feel so much embarrassed by the constant attention and praise showered on him that he sincerely wished his admirers would put a lid over their urge to compliment him. His own progeny and scions of his family are spread far and wide throughout the vast country. He had therefore to travel far and wide to attend family marriages and other functions. That explains the numerous functions arranged by literary and cultural societies in his honor.
He was elated to see the popularity of Urdu language in the South Asian community living in various cities. He refers to the areas where lovers of the language reside as the new abodes of Urdu. But, he dreads the day when the aging generation that keeps promoting the language will bow out of the stage, marking perhaps the end of the language too in this country. For, the younger generation born and brought up in this country has no reason to learn the language and love it like their seniors. Special efforts to teach the language to their progeny need must be made by the elders now.
Mujtaba is all admiration for the bounties conferred by nature on America, and he has no less praise for the contribution of the people to maintain the gifts of nature and to enhance their beauty through human effort and ingenuity. He is impressed by the well-mowed and manicured lawns, the cut and trimmed trees and trash-free parks. He is no less impressed by the civilized conduct of the Americans at large. But, he admits that he has always been disappointed by the behavior of the ruling elite of the country.
Bush (junior) was the President during Mujtaba’s last visit. He was so disgusted by the Bush Administration’s policies in Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan that he thought that Columbus would not have discovered the new land had he known its plight under Bush rule.
People of America, he maintains, are a noble, decent and friendly lot. Once one of them becomes the President of that country, we start fearing him. As long as a person lives within its boundaries, America remains a likeable and beautiful place. Its progress and prosperity makes it look like the heaven on earth. But, once you step out of its boundaries, you start dreading it.
Whenever, the US wants to engage in a war, it steps out of its territory and reaches the land of its choice. America, claimed the historian, Arnold Toynbee, is a large, friendly dog in a very small room. Every time it wags its tail, it knocks over a chair.
America furnishes the arsenals of many a foreign land, but it seldom allows the use of its own products on its own land, Mujtaba points out. It defied worldwide demonstrations against the invasion of Iraq; for, it wanted to control the country’s oil by occupying it. Its claim regarding the weapons of mass destruction turned out to be totally false.
Mujtaba is essentially a wit, a humorist, a purveyor of happiness, but his comments on American role in external affairs fall in the category of sarcasm and satire. He is obviously quite sensitive about the plight of Third World countries struggling for a place under the sun. He is unable to appreciate the logic of the massive destruction caused in Iraq and Afghanistan. That contrasts vividly with the prompt and substantial assistance given by America to countries affected by natural disasters like earthquakes or floods.
American diplomacy, incomprehensible to many Mujtaba included, tends to solve a world crisis by creating a new one. Its defense budget equals the total outlay on defense by the rest of the world.
The folly, Mujtaba believes, lies with the man at the top. Once he reaches the top, he develops a mental disorder. Bush (junior) used to be, as a young man, an alcoholic, after becoming President he became “power drunk”, or developed some cerebral disturbance.
Mujtaba holds out high hopes from President Obama.
The new president’s track record so far indicates that the hopes are not misplaced. - arifhussaini@hotmail.com
