PESHAWAR: The panelists, at a monthly study circle, termed noted Urdu and Hindi fiction writer Krishan Chander’s stories a true reflection of the society. The debate was based on a celebrated Urdu novel ‘Ghadaar’ (the traitor) of Krishan Chander (1914-1977).

The Bacha Khan Trust Educational Foundation conducted the event at its hall here the other day. Students, researchers and book lovers attended the debate.

Prof Khadim Hussain in his opening remarks said that Krishan Chander being prolific writer had written on issues cropped up in the backdrop of partition in 1947. He said that hatred, and oppression on ethnicity, religion and racism were recurrent themes in his writings. He said Krishan Chander was also influenced by James Joyce, Ezra Pound and DH Lawrence and had penned down around 20 novels and 40 collections of short stories.

He said that most characters of Mr Chander’s short stories were drawn from the underprivileged, oppressed and marginalised sections of the society.

Afsarul Mulk Afghan, a young writer, read out the story of the novel under discussion while Nadia Wazir and Dr Anwar Ali Orakzai dwelt on the role of various characters, plot, theme and a collective impression of Mr Chander’s title.

Mr Afghan said that Mr Chander’s story revolved round the theme of accusation of ‘traitor’ in which different characters exploited religion and race to serve own vested interests and the same evil was still prevalent in the society.

Nadia Wazir while sharing her views pointed out that Krishan Chander had advocated humanism, love and peaceful co-existence in his stories. Dr Orakzai stated that the so-called leaders at times exploited the mob psyche which believed in racism, religion and geography. He observed that youngsters should remind themselves of the continuing relevance of the master storyteller and humanist par excellence whose presence was perhaps more needed than before.

Adnan Durrani, another young scholar, said that Mr Chander’s literary masterpieces on the Bengal famine and the savagery and barbarism that took place at the time of the partition of India in 1947 were some of the finest specimens of modern Urdu literature.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2018