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 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism