A Critical Review of the Diverse Aspects of Muhammad Hameed Shahid’s Collection of Short Stories “Janam Jahannam”

Abstract

Mohammad Hameed Shahid’s “Janam Jahanam” is a collection of short stories that delves deeply into the complexities of human life, examining the tensions between modernity and tradition, the rural and urban, as well as the spiritual and the material. The author’s narrative techniques are marked by a unique variety, as he blends abstract and symbolic elements with absurd and surreal situations to reflect on existential dilemmas. Most of his characters, notably unnamed, serve as representations of broader societal concerns rather than individual personalities. This anonymity underscores the universality of the themes Shahid addresses, allowing readers to see beyond the specific to the philosophical and existential questions that define human experience. The stories within “Janam Jahanam” engage with a wide range of issues, including religious dogma, linguistic identity, and the complexities of social structures. The exploration of these topics is interwoven with critiques of superstitions, the dissonance between village and modern life, and the pervasive influence of pehlwani (traditional wrestling) as a cultural symbol of strength, masculinity, and social status. Through these various motifs, Shahid captures the contradictions of an era that is both anchored in tradition and constantly shifting toward modernity. Shahid’s use of philosophical discourse is central to the collection, often presenting characters in states of turmoil, grappling with questions of identity, existence, and morality. The tension between rationality and superstition runs throughout the stories, as characters try to make sense of a world that is increasingly fragmented and difficult to comprehend. The stories are peppered with allegorical and symbolic references, such as the recurring theme of wrestling, which not only serves as a literal sport but also as a metaphor for the struggle between different societal forces.