Who Was Manto?

 

By Alpha

Manto:

Saadat Hasan Manto was a renowned writer of Urdu literature who was known for his insightful and provocative writings. He is regarded as one of the greatest short story writers in the history of Urdu literature. Manto was a bold and controversial writer who wrote about the realities of society in his time, which often led to him being criticized and censored. Despite this, his work remains popular and relevant to this day.

Early Life and Education:

Manto was born in Samrala, Punjab in British India, on May 11, 1912. His father, Ghulam Hasan, was a judge and his mother, Sardar Begum, was a housewife. He was the second of three sons and was raised in a Muslim family. Manto's father was a strict and religious man, and Manto often had disagreements with him. Manto attended Aligarh Muslim University and later moved to Bombay to become a writer.

Writing Career:

Manto began his writing career in Bombay, where he worked for various magazines and wrote stories for the Urdu literary scene. His early stories were influenced by the social and political issues of his time, particularly the Partition of India. Manto was deeply affected by the partition and the violence that followed, and he wrote about these issues in his stories. He was critical of both the British colonial rulers and the Indian politicians who he believed had failed to protect the interests of the people.

Manto's work was often controversial and provocative, as he wrote about topics such as sex, prostitution, and crime. His stories were raw and unfiltered, which made them difficult to publish in mainstream magazines. However, Manto's work found a home in the underground literary scene in Bombay, where he became associated with the Progressive Writers' Movement. This movement aimed to use literature as a means to promote social and political change, and Manto was a prominent member.

Manto's most famous stories include "Toba Tek Singh," "Khol Do," and "Thanda Gosht." These stories are known for their powerful and honest portrayal of society in Manto's time. "Toba Tek Singh" is a poignant story about a mentally ill man who is caught in the middle of the India-Pakistan partition. "Khol Do" is a shocking story about a woman who is raped during the partition and left for dead. "Thanda Gosht" is a story about a man who becomes involved in a love affair with a dead woman. These stories are powerful examples of Manto's ability to explore difficult and taboo subjects in a sensitive and honest way.

Later Years:

In 1948, Manto moved to Lahore, Pakistan, where he continued to write and publish his work. However, he was soon embroiled in controversy, as his writing was seen as too controversial and critical of the government. In 1952, Manto was charged with obscenity for his story "Bu," which was seen as too explicit and controversial. He was eventually acquitted of the charges, but the incident left a lasting impact on Manto.

In the years that followed, Manto continued to write and publish his work, but he became increasingly disillusioned with the literary scene. He felt that his work was not being appreciated, and he struggled to make a living as a writer. Manto suffered from alcoholism and financial difficulties, which led to him becoming increasingly isolated. He died on January 18, 1955, at the age of 42, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest writers in Urdu literature.

Legacy:

Manto's work has had a lasting impact on Urdu literature and has influenced generations of writers. His stories continue to be read and studied, and his style and approach have been emulated by many writers.