Reading Manto

Published May 16, 2012

Dawn.com presents four readings of the works of Saadat Hasan Manto.

In the first video, Asma Mundrawala, reads ‘Sahai’ a short story about a Muslim man who decides to move to Pakistan after a shocking revelation from his Hindu friend.

According to some sources, this story was based on Manto’s own personal conversation with Shyam, a good friend of Manto's from his Bombay days.

It is often said about Manto that although he lived till 1955, his slow death began in 1947. The partition shook up Manto, and some of his best short stories are based around that time period.

Mahvash Faruqi reads ‘Khol Do’ (Open it); a short story about a desperate man's attempts to find his daughter Sakina, who he loses in the chaotic mass exodus during Partition.

It is in the last paragraph of the story that Manto really captures the layers of pain, and horror that were experienced by many people during the Partition.

In the next reading, Sheema Kermani, reads Manto’s controversial story ‘Bu’ (Odour) in English as translated by Manto’s nephew Hamid Jalal.

Here Manto intimately recounts the thoughts of a young man Randhir and his sexual encounter with a Ghatan girl. It is for writing ‘Bu’ that Manto faced a trial for obscenity in the 1940s.

Finally, a retort in Manto’s own words: Khalid Ahmed reads an article on Manto’s reaction to the censorship and banning of his work.

After his stories and language were labeled as vulgar and obscene in Lahore, Manto wrote:

“If you would like to be enlightened on our society and the times we live in, then read my work. However, if you are unable to stand to read my work, it means that it is our times and society today that you cannot stand."

- Video by Sara Faruqi and Nadir Siddiqui/Dawn.com

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.