Google honored famous playwright, author, poet, and screenwriter Saadat Hasan Manto on his 108th birth anniversary. An art made by Lahore based guest artist Shehzil Malik illustrates a man in white kurta playing with his pen.
A boldly daring icon Saadat Hasan Manto was born on May 11, 1912, in Samrala in the British Indian state of Punjab. After 1947 partition he was compelled to shift to the newly made Pakistan.
Manto is known for bravely writing the truth and taboos which still prevails in the society. He published 22 collections of short stories throughout his prolific career, he also wrote a novel, three collections of essays, over 100 radio plays, and more than 15 film scripts. Around the globe, Manto is an inspiration and courage for all the literature lovers.
According to Google, “he came of age during an era of significant civil unrest amid the growing movement to liberate India from British rule. Despite early troubles in school, Manto discovered a passion for literature, and by his early twenties, he had published his own translations of European classics in his native Urdu tongue. He soon progressed to original fiction, channeling his iconoclastic spirit into short stories like the aptly titled “Revolutionary” (“Inqilab Pasand”, 1935).”
Manto was known for his controversial content. At the time when barely any other writer dared to write on the evils of the society, Manto took his pen and then never stopped writing the truth. He also was a progressive writer who wrote on many women issues at the time when it was a taboo. He unapologetically penned on the harsh outcome of the partition, which disturbed normal life causing their emotional psyche.
His work and life were celebrated twice in the form of biographical movies. In 2015, by Sarmad Khoosat and in 2018 by Nandita Das, which was also chosen for the Cannes film festival.
Some of his brilliant works are ‘Toba Tek Singh; Thanda Gosht; Bu; Khol Do; Kaali Shalwar; and Hattak’. Toba Tek Singh was his last work, which shows a prisoner life after the partition and its everlasting impact, which gained much importance even today.
Manto’s work includes dark satire which is much like a mirror to this society. After almost 65 years, even today, his writings are relatable which strongly says, “Manto is still alive, Manto can never be dead!”
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