Abstract:

Dr. Mehdi Jafer, in his article “Awaz Sayeed’s Unique Perspective,” characterises Awaz Sayeed’s writing style as deeply psychological, modernist, and marked by a distinctive use of symbolism and expressionism. Sayeed’s stories are recognised for their psychological depth, fleeting sense of pain, and a unique mental balance that sets them apart from traditional storytelling. He diverges from classical narrative forms, instead delving into the complexities of contemporary human experience and identity, often presenting characters in states of hesitation, anxiety, and existential confusion.

Sayeed’s narratives avoid overtly local or classical language, instead reflecting the speech and life of the modern individual. His stories are imbued with a persistent sense of mystery and ambiguity, and his modernism is not merely a stylistic choice but a means of exploring the search for self and the freedom of the human psyche. The characters often embody internal conflicts and anxieties, and the titles themselves frequently hint at these underlying tensions.

Expressionism is a hallmark of Sayeed’s style, with his stories often presenting reality through a poetic and symbolic lens. He employs objective correlatives—symbols like “night,” “trust,” “cloud,” and “tamam” (complete)—to evoke complex emotions and states of being, allowing the narrative to function on multiple levels of meaning. Sayeed’s prose is noted for its aesthetic balance, where the mundane and the extraordinary intermingle, and where the narrative voice is both reliable and capable of sudden poetic or proverbial turns.

His stories often feature a subtle interplay between the external and internal, with narrative structures that are sometimes complex and capable of delivering shocking or disturbing effects. Sayeed’s use of symbolism is highly individualised, transforming concrete objects into carriers of personal and universal meaning. The stories frequently explore themes of individuality, loneliness, and the absurdities of life, using both satirical and lyrical elements to probe the psychological and existential dimensions of his characters.

In summary, Dr. Mehdi Jafer sees Awaz Sayeed as a modernist writer whose style is defined by psychological insight, symbolic richness, expressive narrative techniques, and a nuanced portrayal of contemporary human consciousness. Sayeed’s work stands out for its ability to evoke the complexities of existence through a blend of realism, poetic symbolism, and a persistent quest for meaning and identity.

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