Raat yun dil mein teri
khoyi hui yaad aayi;
Jaise wiraanay main,
chupke se bahaar aa jaye;
Jaise sehraaon mein
holay se chale baad-e-naseeb;
Jaise bimaar ko be-waj-ha qaraar aa jaaye!
Dhoop Kinarey – At the Edge of Sunshine – epitomizes emotions of love, parenting, friendship and above all, respect. Each episode (I remember them as compiled in four video tapes) unfolds unique and special moments that bring out distinct sense of beauty through words and expression. Coupled with the fact that it is spoken in Urdu with an intermix of English adds a specialty that draws you further into the arena of Pakistani family culture – in a surreal sort of way. I had a go at this serial recently, like the nth time, and it mesmerized me in its entirety, all over again. It also made me sad to figure out what little might exist of this fiction in the current day and age in this country.
So the plot revolves around two doctors and their relationship amidst the stereotypical responses to situations. Dr. Ahmar Ansari - an established doctor who lives his life in isolation and for whom the greatest betrayal in life was given by his foster father - and Dr. Zoya Ali Khan - a young doctor, reluctant at first but begins to love the profession gradually, and Dr. Ahmar too. It may sound like a typical love-story of sorts and coming from a bollywood-centric society, sure indeed! But this serial is an act apart. Without divulging into the story any further, what I really want to highlight is the manner in which this drama unfolds and has exactly the same effect on me no matter what phase in my life I have watched it. As a 14-year old, Dr. Ahmar was a symbol of an ideal man and it is not any different right now. The character - completely male-centric (which male isn't) - runs away from the very person he loves and does not spare a moment to malign the woman he has fallen in love with simply because he is afraid to express his love for her. It is also the result of his deep hatred for the lady who, for no fault of hers, is bestowed with his ancestral home that his foster father (her grand-father) left for her. On the other hand is Dr. Zoya's character, bold and free-spirited who stands tall during instances when what matters is one's beliefs and values:
"Main buzdil nahin hoon Anji; par maine jhuk ke kabhi koi cheez nahin maangi" (I am not a coward Anji; but I have never begged for anything). This says a lot about the character.
Despite the age-gap that exists between them, their journey towards maturity, professionalism, responsibility and love, can be viewed with a light of subtlty, honor and innocence. Then there are these other characters in the form of confidante, a friend, the father and a caretaker, that reflect those of a progressive society - a father who supports her daughter's dreams and aspirations, a friend who stands tall when it comes to providing objective and critical judgment, a caretaker who unconditionally showers love and care. And not to forget, the envious Dr. Sheena who flawlessly portrays her character with precision. Absolutely no hamming in the scenes, no glamorous/ornate sets and simplicity to the core! Basically, scenes you can relate to - like the homes you live in, surroundings and people that are believable and leave deeper impact to the language, words and expressions. Some of my favourite dialogues and scenes in the serial:
"Hum Insaan ko makammal daur par na jaan sakte hai, na samajh sakte hain”
[It is during trying times when people can neitber be known nor can they be ever understood]
"Har kaam aadmi apni pasand se to nahin karta, bahut se kaam doosron ke khatir kiye jaate hain; balki mera khayal hain ki aadmi apni behtar zindagi doosron ke khatir basar karta hain.Apne liye to chand se lamhe mil jaate hain; woh bhi itefaak se"
[You do not necessarily do things of your own liking. There are many things you do for the sake of others. Infact, I believe that large part of our lives are spent living for others. For us, just a few moments to live by and that too by coincidence]
"Hum jo kuch dekhte hain, woh zaroori nahin ke sach bhi ho; aankhon ko kabhi khuli daur pe aitbaar kiya nahin jaa sakta".
[What we see may not necessarily be the truth; Although wide open, our eyes cannot always be trusted]
"Zindagi mein bahut si baatein aisi hoti hain, jiski wajah se aadmi ke andar kadwaahat bhar jaati hain."
[Several instances in life lead people to become bitter]
"Hum bhala apni arzooun ke darwazay kaise band kar sakte hain? Ye hamaray ikhtyaar mein kab hain? Ye umeeden, ye arzooien to zindagi ke aainay hain. In mein hum apni tasveeren saja kar, khushiyon ki duniya aabaad karte hain. Phir agar mere dil ne koi arzoo ki, to kya koi jurm kya?"
[How can we close doors on our own desires? Is this even in our being? These wishes, these desires are truly the mirrors of our lives. In these, we create a picture, a life full of happiness. And then if my heart desires someone/something, is it a crime?]
"Zindagi ke jitne bhi morr hote hain na, ye andhay hote hain. Yehi tu zindagi ka husn hai."
[it is a general rule in life that all crossroads we arrive at are blind.]
Zoya: "Nafrat insaan ki achaayion, ache jazbon, sab kuch ko is tarah khatam kar deti hain, jaise jungle ki aag zara si dair main sab kuch tabah kar deti hai."
Anji: "Nahi Zoya, main nahi maanti. Dekho, maine dekha hai, Zoya. Ke zara sa andhera bohut si roshni ko chupa nahi sakta. Lekin zara si roshni sab andheray mita deti hai. Aur dekho, Zoya, nafrat bhi to andheray ki tarah hoti hai na."
[Zoya: Hatred kills every good deed, good thoughts just like the way a fire in the forest destroys everything in an instance.
Anji: No Zoya, I do not believe in this. I have seen that slightest bit of light can destroy total darkness but even a little bit of darkness cannot hide the light. Hatred is just like darkness.]
"Main unki nafrat ka maan rakhongi!"
[I shall respect his hatred]
And my favourite,
"Rona koi buri baat to nahin, acchi baat hain. Jab bohut saara paani barsata hai na to aasmaan bilkul saaf nazar aata hai aur aasmaan par saath rangon ki dhanak nikal aati hain".
[Crying is not a bad thing, infact it is good. When there is a lot rain shower, the sky appears crystal clear and in there one can view the seven-coloured rainbow]
So with such a legacy as set by Haseena Moin, once considered meaningful, memorable and flawless, what has happened now? A Culture lost amidst the realities of terrorism, power and religion? It would be sad indeed to see the death of such art in Pakistan albeit fiction.
[Crying is not a bad thing, infact it is good. When there is a lot rain shower, the sky appears crystal clear and in there one can view the seven-coloured rainbow]
So with such a legacy as set by Haseena Moin, once considered meaningful, memorable and flawless, what has happened now? A Culture lost amidst the realities of terrorism, power and religion? It would be sad indeed to see the death of such art in Pakistan albeit fiction.
