With this article, I am concluding this series on Urdu’s greatest novels. It was absolute pleasure writing about these masterpieces and recalling my special moments spent reading and cherishing them. Without a shadow of doubt, they make Urdu a rich literary language. I have explored the works of seven great novelists Mirza Hadi Ruswa, Qurat ul Ain Haider, Abdullah Hussain, Shaukat Siddiqui, Intezar Hussain, Shamsur Rehman Farooqi and last but never the least Mustansar Hussain Tarar. This concluding article is a humble attempt to pay tribute to some other Urdu novels which may not be as great as the novels discussed in previous articles but nevertheless important and valuable contributions to Urdu literature. Five such novels are discussed in the following.
Ismat Chughtai
Ismat Chughtai is among the greatest names in Urdu short story. She started writing in an eventful phase of Urdu’s history. Progressive Writer’s Movement was at its peak. Existing norms, values, subjects and styles in literature were being fiercely rejected and social realism was adopted as a guiding principle by a whole generation of new writers who were full of fresh, different and at times revolutionary ideas. Ismat Chughtai was one of the most prominent new writers who emerged on the literary scene in wake of this revolution. A young woman writing about tabooed themes in those days was itself a wonder. She bravely discussed the themes of sexual frustration, domestic exploitation, cruel traditions, feminism, poverty, hunger and the household lives of middle class North Indian Muslim families. Ismat’s personal life was also a story of constant struggle. She had to face a lot of opposition for her choices in life as a young woman. She fought against the prejudices of her rigid family to attain formal education. Later, when she started writing stories, her unusual themes and strong language were fiercely criticized among literary circles and conservative readers. She proved herself by becoming a career oriented independent woman who lived on her own terms. Ismat Chughtai is known for her short stories, however she has some ten novels and novellas to her credit out of which Terhi Lakeer (The Crooked Line) stands out as her most representative and recognized work. The novel is semi autobiographical and reflects upon author’s personal struggles and her world view. Commenting on Ismat Chughtai’s amazing command over writing, Saadat Hassan Manto wrote in his pen sketch that she wrote a novel as lengthy as “Terhi Lakeer” in just seven or eight sittings.
Aziz Ahmad’s Guraiz (Abstinence) which was published some time in 1940s, is a charming tale of a young Indian bureaucrat’s travels through Europe and his experiences through love and life. In a different way Guraiz was also a very progressive novel. The plot was interwoven with romance and Europe’s charm which was completely contrary to progressive literature of that time. The tone of the novel wasn’t aggressive either. However, intermingling of sexes and description of Europe’s independent society made it a novel much ahead of its time. The basic idea of the novel encapsulated the greatest fascination of an Indian young man of that time, to experience the charm and beauty of Europe.
Mumtaz Mufti’s Alipur ka Aili is one of the lengthiest novels in Urdu. Because of its size, legendary satirist Ibne Insha called it Guru Granth Saheb of Urdu novels. Just like Ismat Chughtai, Mumtaz Mufti was also known for his short stories. Alipur ka Aili was published in 1961. The story was based on author’s personal life and experiences, although this fact remained hidden or at best a mere speculation for a very long time until Mumtaz Mufti himself confessed it and wrote a sequel titled Alkh Nagri which was written as an autobiography. Alipur ka Aili traces the emotional journey of a young man through unusual experiences of a seemingly mediocre life. His earliest childhood memories are of a silently suffering mother and father’s romantic affairs and polygamy. His personality is suppressed under the influence of a dominating father. His own romantic life couldn’t be more drastic. He is seduced by a mother of five children. They elope and end up getting married. He not only supports his wife but all her children from the first marriage. There are powerful glimpses of young man’s life as a host élite and later as a teacher. Dozens of characters with varying significance appear in the plot which makes it closer to real life. The novel is a continuous journey to a person’s inner self. It’s a completely psychological study. Alipur ka Aili is an important novel in Urdu fiction.
Khadija Mastoor, known for her stories based on feminine themes, wrote her famous novel Aangan (Courtyard) in the aftermath of the Indian subcontinent’s partition. It tells the story of an Indian Muslim household which bears its share in the tragedy of life just like every family. The characterization of the novel is very strong and shows different characters from different generations with their distinct ideas and approach towards life. Every character is depicted as a product of its environment and clearly everyone lives in a world of their own within the same four walls. Men of the family are very political. Ideological rivalry has turned father and son against each other. Author used this symbol to depict India’s partition. Feminine side of the family is immersed in its own problems. Old women remember the times gone by and younger women are frustrated by their circumstances. The time of partition finally arrives which not only divides the country but homes and hearts too. It brings the horror and human tragedy with it. Aangan is an excellent psychological study of partition and a feminine view of the great divide.
Not a very long time ago, a new writer and a new novel created waves in the long stagnant waters of Urdu fiction. Mirza Athar Beg, a professor of philosophy at Government College University, Lahore wrote Ghulam Bagh (The Garden of Slaves) and took the literary scene by storm. Ghulam Bagh was a revolutionary novel in many ways. Its technique, characterization, storytelling, language and narrative were absolutely unprecedented in Urdu fiction. In short, it created a class of its own. The story revolves around a brilliant and at the same time maddening idea. One man controls all the powerful men of the society by exploiting their one common weakness. As the novel progresses, its grip over the reader’s imagination becomes stronger and stronger. The most fascinating part of the story is when a foreigner archeologist, a young doctor, a young writer and the spoilt daughter of a rich man come together to sit through the night in the cafe of a historical garden and talk something between sense and nonsense. At times, long discussions or descriptions in the novel seem boring and unnecessary, but in a way its closer to reality for life isn’t interesting all the time either. It’s a strange and weird story and at times makes you question your definition of reality. There are times when characters and situations emerge in very dark shades. Ghulam Bagh is a mind blowing novel and a highly ambitious experiment in Urdu literature. It’s a novel much ahead of its time. Apart from a lot of appreciation it has received from serious readers, there’s a resistance against it too in Urdu circles. When asked about his opinion about Mirza Athar Beg’s work, a great novelist remarked “I just can’t read him”. It can easily be predicted that like most of the masterpieces, true worth of Ghulam Bagh will be realized in the time to come.
Mirza Athar Beg
Khadija Mastoor
At the end of this series of articles, I would like to express my gratitude to readers who not only read these articles but also expressed their views. One common misconception which I would like to clarify here is that this list of great novels from Mirza Ruswa’s Umrao Jan Ada to Mirza Athar Beg’s Ghulam Bagh or my any other articles are not literary criticism. They are based on my personal opinions and impressions. It is very much possible that the list of great novels made by some other person would include some titles not mentioned in this list and exclude some of my favorites. Difference of opinion is a very healthy thing and is much appreciated at this end.