عطاء الحق قاسمی بطور خاکہ نگار

ATTA UL HAQ QASMI AS A SKETCH WRITER

Abstract

In literature, a sketch is a short but impactful genre that captures the essence of a personality, not through formal biography or serious essay, but through emotional depth, memories, and sincerity. A true sketch comes from the heart, revealing the inner world of a person, not just external achievements or appearances. It requires the writer to be both a reader of faces and hearts, using subtle language, symbols, and metaphors to convey deep meaning in a few lines—like a cartoonist capturing identity with a few exaggerated features.Atta-ul-Haq Qasmi is recognized as a master in Urdu literature who, alongside his expertise in satire and humor, has also demonstrated great skill in sketch writing. His style is marked by emotional insight, creative humor, simplicity of language, and clarity of expression. He avoids unnecessary embellishments and speaks directly, which makes his sketches both engaging and meaningful.His sketches of literary figures such as Amjad Islam Amjad, Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, and Hafiz Jalandhari reflect not only their personalities but also the warmth and sincerity of his relationships with them. These works go beyond simple introductions—they are emotional tributes. However, at times, a tone of superiority or sarcasm appears in his sketches, especially evident in the one written about a wrestler.Despite these occasional flaws, Qasmi’s contributions to the genre of sketch writing are significant and lasting in Urdu literature.