Yaaram (Sumaira Hameed- Novel Review by Shoby

Yaaram (Sumaira Hameed- Novel Review by Shoby

(A Social-Romantic Novel with all shades of life...)

Its been five odd months that I have read Yaaram and now I feel like writing a review on it. What tempted me to review it is something even I cant figure out. So just skipping this truly unnecessary question, lets go right through the anatomy of the novel.

Sumaira Hameed is not new when it comes to digest writing. Although she was associated with some nice writing pieces earlier but to me Yaaram is something that made her "The Sumaira Hameed" for the readers. Yaaram is a tale of a simple girl Amraha who is considered as anything but lucky and a boy Aliyan a happy go lucky chap, who loves to spread love.

After getting almost infuriated with her family (and attempting suicide), Amraha admits that no one considers her competent enough to live like others do and just consider her a bad luck charm. She decides to study abroad after her Dada (grand father) asks her to make her name by progressing in the field of study, so that one day everyone believes she is as good as they are (or even better). She applies and luckily gets a chance to study in Manchester University (England). There she meets Aliayan who was adapted by Lady Mahr (woman with a golden heart, who has adapted many of the kids).

Apart from Aliyaan, she also gets to meet (read regrets by meeting) Carl (arch-rival and best foe friend of Aliyaan). Carl, a problem creator, who can do everything to make your life miserable and you would not mind dying if you have been given a chance to whether live with Carl or die. MU (Manchester University) also made Amraha meet with Veera (a solid powerful Russian girl), Sai (your true friend and free adviser indeed) and many more colourful characters.

Question must be arising in your minds, how come Yaaram is different from other novels. Let me tell you one thing, I have not read anything of this much fun where campus life of an international educational institute of this grand nature is elaborated so beautifully. From "Tweet me" (a way to borrow food from other students) to fresh student's ragging, from sports week to exam fever, you can enjoy almost every colour of MU campus. Yaaram also acquaints you with struggling life of the students that come from various countries. Sumaira has succeeded in highlighting core issues that foreign students have to confront while keeping the flavor of fun and entertainment at its heart. This is what makes Yaaram literally stand out.

Considering the fact that it featured in a digest  as an episodic novel, its surprisingly fresh idea depicted in such a wonderful manner has made Yaaram a real master piece. It contains those solid intense moments when Aliyaan totally ignores Amraha and ultimately Amraha leaves forgetting words like "fun and enjoyment" in life. At the same time, it brings those really cheerful episodes, when Aliyaan brings a home-made cake on the birthday of Lady Mahr. 

Yaaram shines when it gives us those red romantic moments between Amraha and Aliyaan and Yaaram gets melodramatic, when Amraha leaves Aliyaan speechless by not accepting her proposal for the first time. You literally want to kill the evil genius Carl (who reminds you of the Jerry) on his notorious activities and also want to have someone as good listener as Sai was.

Yaaram has some fantastic dialogues, some of them you would probably not forget in your whole life. I want to quote few of my most favourite dialogues/ monologues from the novel here, just to give you a teaser of what it really has in store for you:

"Amar or Maran... Zindagi do lafz hai... Amar "yaar" ka hona... Maran us ka na hona..."

"Khud ko khatm kr dene k hazaro tariqo me se mohabbabt ko sb se akhir pr bhi na rakhey... Zinda dargor honey k liye kisi or jazbey ka intkhab karey..."

"Sochain adhi khushi nigal leti hain or insan ko puri khushi milti hi kahan hai ke woh adhi ko bhi kho de..."

"Woh aik khoobsurat larki thi, us per muskurahat sajti thi... Woh aik khoobsurat mard tha, apni muskurahat gan'wa raha tha..."

I can never forget this one conversation between Amraha and Dada:

"Dada: Kon hai woh?

 Amraha: Dost

 Dada: Kharabi dosti se hi shuru hoti hai.

 Amraha: Nahi... Kharabi ghuttan se shuru hoti hai."

Philosophy used by Sumaira Hameed in Yaaram is classic and what makes Yaaram even more exceptional is the beautiful use of Persian poetry and quotes. It never looks like exaggerated or inserted in the script just to make a phenomenon out of it. Every dialogue and quote is so calculated that you have no other option except to enjoy the proceedings.

Yaaram has an end that will surely bring smile to its readers. How beautifully Sumaira has changed the gears from Manchester, England to Lahore, Pakistan. Scene where Aliyaan takes a selfie in the Chang-Chee Rickshaw and uploads it on Facebook with tagline "Chaand Gaari" is excellent.

I believe canvas of Yaaram is so vast that one single review cannot do full justice with all the colours of the novel. We cannot thoroughly portray the beauty of Yaaram in a single writing, as we cannot elaborate each and every sequence. No doubt, Yaaram has many other scenes as well that have the tendency of either making your eyes go moist or make you feel warm in love. It can make you cry and also make you laugh out loud on literal notes.

Overall, Yaaram is something a reader should never miss out. I honestly feel, it should be translated in other languages as well, so that more and more audience can read and know that good work in Urdu literature is still going on. I firmly believe Yaaram has the tendency of being converted into a powerful screenplay for TV or Cinema product. Hats Off to Sumaira Hameed for writing such a master piece.

Ishq Jo Asraar e Azam hai... Dastan e Yaar... Yaaram...

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