Mujh Pe Jafa Aur Sahi
By S.H. Jafarey
Al Hamd Publications
ISBN: 978-969-23244-1-0
128pp.

Satire is more than just humour. It is an effective social commentary, a means through which society’s follies, ills and absurdities are pointed out, usually with an intention to reform them. However, contrary to its apparently effortless and humorous exterior, it is quite a difficult art, which requires a deep understanding of society, a sharp wit and a mastery over language.

When I picked up S.H. Jafarey’s Mujh Pe Jafa Aur Sahi, a collection of satirical essays along with general ones on different topics, I looked forward to enjoying a light and entertaining collection. However, I couldn’t find what I anticipated — the humour and wit in the book seems to be falling short at most places.

The bite of satire also feels quite ineffective, for good and effective satire often relies on a combination of wit, a deep insight and clever wordplay. The comparisons, the language, the effort to produce laughter and irony, all seemed not to be working in most of the essays in the book.

The particular lack I feel here is of new and deep insights into human behaviour and society. This is the author’s fourth book. A........

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