Depicting the harsh realities of life

A Word Thrice Uttered: Stories on Life's Realities is a collection of reality inspired short stories. The compilation published by 'Niyogi books' was launched at India International Centre.

Organized on December 5, the book launch coincided with the death anniversary of Asrarul- Haq Majaz, noted Urdu poet.

Every short story in the book by Parveen Talha, author, portrays diverse realities of life through the protagonists – children, women, men, animals and even some supernatural beings.

Readers meet fascinating women who confront irresponsible and evil men. But nothing stops these women from taking the first step for a leap into liberation and self-empowerment.

The chief guest for the event was Muzaffar Ali, Filmmaker, Fashion Designer and Activist. Among the other esteemed guests, Professor Nalini Jain, Academic and Author, Sadia Dehlvi, Columnist, Writer and Activist and Saif Mahmood, Advocate, Supreme Court of India, marked their presence.

At the launch, Muzaffar Ali shared his viewpoints on the book. He opined that Parveen's ability "to sense the human (and that of animals as well) predicament in the most sensitive manner and then to express these dialectics in a cinematic way are her greatest strengths. The fact that she was from Lucknow said a lot about that place too".

On the other hand Saif Mahmood, who is also the co-author of Tahir Mahmood's magnum opus 'Muslim Law in India and Abroad' said, "Not many know that the practice of 'triple talaq', banned by the SC recently, was not just unconstitutional but also un-Islamic. Prevalent only among India's Muslim community, who follow the Hanafi Islamic school of law, this practice is not recognized anywhere else in the Muslim world. In fact, Islamic law is a progressive law, and only one of its kind, which seeks no evidence for divorce. Speaking further, he said, "The beautiful tehzeeb of Lucknawi culture, which sparkles in her writing, is the most stunning quality of her craft."

David Syiemlieh, Chairman UPSC, expressing his opinion said, "The small, insignificant and countless problems that people go through every day are presented evocatively".

Parveen Talha, who belongs to an old family of Awadh, settled in Lucknow after her retirement. She is involved with social service which includes working for animal rights. Veteran journalist Sadia Dehlvi, who engaged Parveen Talha in a conversation around the book along with Nalini Jain, spoke about Talha's love for animals in real life and the unparalleled beauty with which she expressed every nuance of life in her book.

Lastly, Trisha De Niyogi urged the readers to treat this book as a work of fiction. "Though the title points out to the burning issue of Triple Talaq and touches upon various social concerns like women empowerment, children psychology, Ganga Jumni tehzeeb, and others. Our concern for live issues should not detract the merit of the book as a creative writing."