Saadat Hasan Manto: A Writer of Conscience
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
11 May 2023
“Afsana Nigari Woh Fun Hai Jo Sirf Zabaan
Jaan-Ne Se Nahin Aata. Zindagi Ko Qareeb Se Dekhne Se Aata Hai."
Urdu critic, Shamsur Rahman Farruqi
(Art of
story-telling doesn't come with a mastery over a language. It comes after
seeing life from the close quarters).
saadat Hasan Manto
-----
This
applies to Saadat Hasan Manto, whose birth anniversary falls on May 11.
The son of
a session judge, Manto was a fabulous judge of human nature and character, but
was never judgemental in his works. That was his hallmark. “Main Logon Ko
Dekhta Hoon Lekin Parakhta Nahin” (I see people but I don't judge them), he
once told his fellow Punjabi poet and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi who inspired him
to try his luck in Bombay film industry.
A vocal
critic of the Partition, Manto never liked the Idea of the Two Nations. “Wahi
Log, Wahi Zameen, Wahi Fasl, Wahi Aab-O-Hawa, Phir Bhi Do Mumalik: Hindustan
Aur Pakistan" (Same climate, same people, same soil and the same air,
yet two countries: India and Pakistan), he rued in a letter to Nehru.
Since the
Partition moved him deeply and the subsequent mayhem shook him, his immortal
stories were woven around this primary theme, whether it was his story, ' Toba
Tek Singh,' ' Thanda Gosht,' ' Kaali Shalwar', ' Khol Do' Or ' Hattak'.
The Chekhov
of India and the Gogol of human predicament, Manto shocked his readers with the
imagery and truthfulness. Though he was accused of using explicit language and
depicting certain scenes and episodes without beating around the bush, his
stories called a spade a spade.
Despite
dying young, he produced a rather considerable oeuvre of 22 collections of
short stories, one novel, plays and plots. He was a prolific writer who never
compromised and diluted the truth to suit his agenda. He hated mediocrity and
was a writer of conscience.
Lastly,
I've not yet found a really good English translation of his work/s. All the
writers translating him into English, failed to capture the essence of his
craftsmanship and poignancy. I consider myself to be lucky to have read him in
original Urdu. Do suggest good and genuine translations in English as I want my
English-knowing friends to read Manto's works.
-----
A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul
is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He
has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several
languages including Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/saadat-manto-writer-conscience/d/129753
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