Ismat Chughtai - A Fearless Voice

Author: Manjulaa Negi
Publisher: Rupa
Year: 2003
Language: English
Pages: 72
ISBN/UPC (if available): 812910153X

Description

Her bold, uncompromising vision mesmerized her readers. In her writing Ismal Chughtai’s courageous voice spoke up for the exploited and forgotten in society – the women and the poor. A true individualist, Chughtai’s life was a perfect mirror of her beliefs, and this book brings this out admirably.

At a time when women in orthodox Muslim society stayed silently behind the veil, she stepped out to narrate the story of their lives – including writing on subjects considered taboo by other writers and facing a trial for obscenity for her short story ‘Lihaaf’.

Independent, controversial, outspoken, witty and humane, Chughtai refused to be cowed down by society’s disapproval. And her mercurial life and writing has inspired women to question dogma and demand their rights.

Contents

Introduction
Travils of an Unwanted Child
Fire, Fire Burning Bright
A Marriage that Almmost never Was
Those who Influenced
Of Lihaaf and its Impact
Style, Technique, Treatment and Critics
A love Affair with Celluoid
Afterword
Her Life in Years