Book Review.
Book: Where Clouds Meet.
Author: Tahir Mehmood.
Genre: Novel (Fiction)
Publisher: Ferozsons (Pvt.) LTD.
Publication Year: October 2021.
ISBN: 978-969-0-02781-8.
Reviewed By: AsmaIshaq.
Any keen reader who searchesthe novels written with the themes like Warfare,
Love, Nature, Survival of the Fittest, Soldiery, Romanticism, Idealism, Realism,
Friendship and Individualism. So this novel, ‘Where Clouds Meet’ written by
Tahir Mehmood is what your reading taste looks for. Having set in the background
of Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, the post invasion conditions
throughout 1980s and then a beautiful love story of a young solider Ali: Tahir
has chosen an engaging plot for the readers. All in all, all the above mentioned
themes are captivating revolving around many characters. In one line, it is a
‘novel of happenings’ narrated beautifully. The title, ‘Where Clouds Meet’ is to
present the concept of ‘Eternal Love’ which is beyond this world. Out of the
set-boundaries of world. The writer here, has conveyed it well love unmet
is,‘Divine.’
The novel opens up with a breath taking natural sceneryof a lake in Naran
Valley. A young soldier Ali who is found enjoying the green lush valley amidst
the high raised mountains. Ali is the first protagonist of novel. He remains in
the main plot till his martyrdom. He has got the mind and body ‘intoxicated’ by
the ecstasy of love for Motherland. He has got that trance of patriotism that
nurtures the true soldier’s soul in him.
One finds awonderful description of Individualism inthe character of Ali. A
Literary Movement from the 18th and 19th Century that propagates an ideal of
‘human’who realizes the ‘worth’ as wellis able to ‘utilize’ the given potentials
to the best. Ali has all the morals and ideals of Individualism. Being a young
soldier, he is well aware of all the skills that he has been endowed with. He
performs all the assigned tasks well. He forwards the instructions to the
officers under command promptly. Simultaneously, he is there to take as well
implement all the orders from the CO, 2IC and Adjutant. He is smart enough to
maintain the communication with all of them. He is highly vigilant from taking
care of his soldiers’ meal to building the most intimidating Observation Posts
for the enemies at the Neelam Valley during the sporadic exchange of shelling at
the LOC. There are details when the cross border shelling injured and martyred
the innocent locals.Then Ali comes with a delicate heart that bleeds for such
barbaric acts. Yet! He appears an ‘impeccable’ in making the calculations for
his last post at the Point 4777 before the martyrdom.
For surprise to many, the second protagonist is not a human but a
high-mountains- bird that the author has named it, ‘Tutu Titu’. His part of plot
runs with the two major themes Survival of the Fittest and Individualism. He
descends from the mountains to know about the world of ‘Homingoes’ to whom he
thinks the strange specie. Tutu calls humans the ‘Homingoes.’ He goes on
the‘journey of learning’, ‘research’ and seeking ‘wisdom’ via many errands and
encounters. He sets off as a free bird from the river, travelling on one ice
rock, to the mountains, village and eventually in the city while becoming a
slave. He has an unending thirst for knowledge on account of his great thinking
capability. His inquisitiveness takes himself right in the danger at times but
he is tactfulto survive in that perilous situation. His fights with the snake
and later on with the falcon demonstrates the fact in real that this world is
for the one who knows how to survive.Throughout his journey, he is in a
spell-bound state to study humans. He becomes an ardent observant in this
regard. The two words, ‘Use’ and ‘Work’ help Tutu to grow and be acquiesced with
the norm that humans are way more skilful in leading the life. Tutu represents
the‘Free Soul’ or ‘Free Will Human.’The details of his first flying in the most
unique and outstanding manner tells clearly that he enjoys the freedom in every
aspect, be at living the life or in the flying.
The two lead female characters Serena and Natasha and one other Rahmeen are
there to keep the colours of ‘beauty of women’ in the novel. Here, the writer
has gone quite gracefully generous in order to praise the ‘feminine beauty’
while mentioning the tiniest detail too. Serena and Natasha are two bosom
friends, they share the same major subjects as well the room in a university.
Rahmeen is a young and dedicated journalist who works for humanity in
particular. She loves helping the people in need.
The author has dedicated a great part of discussion on warfare and soldiery.
There are many pages with the purpose of sharing the military details. Many
readers will find it much interesting to read about the details of Transit Camp,
Patrolling, Reconnaissance, Command Post and Command Bunker. One gets to know so
much about the Military Service in real as well in the action i.e. Planning,
Reporting and then Immediate Response Action for the enemy. There are warfare
theories in the real action Deterrence and at time the Pre-Emptive strikes.
The theme of Loveseems to be glorified in the character of Professor NKK. He has
a soul of nomad. He is filled with the wisdom and intellect. Despite the fact
that life has been horribly cruel to him, he manages to give love to the fellow
humans. The time and circumstances have transformed him in a personification of
love. Now, he has become a philosopher to interpret the life and to seeking its
meaning and purpose. NKK’s mantra for love is,
“Love is a Divine manifestation which has put a halo around the universe.”
This book is a ‘standout’ than many other contemporary books. It has got to
offer so much for its reader. For any young officer, it is a complete guide for
learning soldiery. For any history student, it brings the concrete details. For
any common individual, it shares a useful read to fit in the society for the
survival.For students of peace and conflict, it reveals that the war is sacred
too and actually comes in the field to prevail the good over evil. It is
definitely right to say here, Tahir has written one Classic Literature kind of
literary masterpiece. He has strengthened the‘Gripping Narration’ in this novel.
He amps up the reader’s mind while creating an irresistible picture in the
narration. He knows the art of storytelling. He proves it aptly,
“We humans are the story telling creatures in life, so make it an interesting
read.”
(Ishaq is freelance columnist)
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