LAHORE: Intellectuals, writers and the civil society activists on Sunday paid rich tributes to short story genius Saadat Hasan Manto, who kept raising voice against extremism, terrorism, double standards and social injustice.

Speaking at a Lahore Literary Festival session, where a collection of Manto’s translated short stories -- “The collected stories of Saadat Hasan Manto”-- was launched, they said the reasons behind his writings were suppressed was his bold style that challenged the ruling class, who, in return, tried to downplay his work and did not let him attain the popularity he deserved in his lifetime, like some of his contemporaries.

To the question why Manto was not taught as part of syllabus, playwright Shahid Nadeem said it was because of his truthfulness and because he used to speak against dictatorship and double standards.

Participated by the translator and author of the book Nasreen Rehman and Samiya Mumtaz, the session was moderated by actor and film director Sarmad Khoosat.

Mr Nadeem said the reason behind Manto’s criticism of hypocrisy was that a writer of his era used to write obnoxious books with a pen name and earn handsome amounts. He said what further pinched Manto was that the same author was also given respect in literary circles through ‘Dastar Bandi’. “He [Manto] was in pain and expressed anger because of all this. But, eventually he was suppressed during his life,” Nadeem said, adding that when he started reading Manto, it was the time when imposition of martial laws started in the country. During that time, both politics and fiction of Manto was banned, he added.

“We used to be warned against even uttering Manto’s name, what to talk of reading his fiction,” he said, adding that other than Manto everything was allowed, including the dictatorship and exploitation. “But now, it is time of Manto and boldness, as whatever he had said is proving absolutely right.”

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Rehman -- who dedicated the book to the late rights activist Asma Jahangir — admired Shahid Nadeem and others for supporting her, saying Nadeem was an old friend. She said they both would live in London at the residence of late Benazir Bhutto and write letters to the Amnesty International.

About her introduction to the writer’s works, Rehman said when she was just 13 years old, one of her friends asked her about Manto, that made her search for his books. However, she said that she couldn’t find any of Manto’s book then. Eventually, she said that she found a book by Manto at a shop in Rawalpindi “lying far away from other books in the shop.” She said later, in 1990s, Asma Jahangir gave her a book by Manto, while three others were given by Ameena Syed.

“Once you delve deep into Manto, you can never leave him,” she said.

Ms Rehman regretted that the bloodshed, double standards, lies, sectarianism and extremism Manto used to talk about, was still there. She was of the view that access to literature was very important in this era, “since our generations are confused due to various issues”.

She also read out a short story by Manto—Hattak (humiliation) -- which is about a prostitute, Sogandi, who felt agony for not being treated well by society.

In another session, Moni Mohsin’s -- Butterfly Book: Between You, Me, and the Four Walls -- was launched. This session was moderated by Safinah Elahi.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2023