“Although he was criticized for his controversial texts, Manto raised awareness about psychological trauma and suffering while also condemning social hypocrisy regarding artistic freedom and the affliction of the marginalized community of the society.”
Saadat Hasan Manto, infamous for his short stories, is an eminent writer and playwright of Urdu Literature. His short stories, some of which have been translated into English, delve into the harrowing issues pertaining to sexuality, assault, poverty, violence, and the Indo-Pak partition of 1947.
Even after being tried multiple time for his blatant use of obscene language and explicit content in his works, Manto remained one of the finest authors of 20th century due to his disregard for societal restrictions and stereotypical misconceptions that hinder social justice and individual prosperity. Although he was criticized for his controversial texts, Manto raised awareness about psychological trauma and suffering while also condemning social hypocrisy regarding artistic freedom and the affliction of the marginalized community of the society.
In his short story “ٹھنڈا گوشت” Manto pens down the dehumanizing impact of war and communal violence faced by Ishar Singh. Through Singh’s character, the author highlights the psycho-emotional suffering of the people who witnessed the horrors of the partition firsthand.
Moreover, through his short stories like “موذیل” and “کھول دو”, Manto puts emphasis upon female subjugation, sexual harassment, misuse of religious beliefs, and the overall impact of violence on the human psyche. The stark depiction of taboos and his disregard for socio-cultural restrictions is what makes Manto’s work sensational and a kind of its own.
