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By Prof. Mohd. Hassan
*The author headed the Department of Urdu JNU and edited
ASRI-ADAB, well-known literary journal.
Brij Premi
has written a research oriented book captioned "Life and Works of Saadat
Hassan Mantoo," which has an edge over all the books and articles
written on Mantoo so far.
Brij Premi
has provided interesting information, after putting in hard labour and
describing in minute detail Manto's family, forefathers and his personality
which people in general have no idea of. This book is so full of life that it
deserves to be published and included in the monthly 'Asri Adab' again.
Brij Premi has effectively analysed Manto's dramas, sketches, short stories and
letters etc. He has tried to present in depth and proper context-Manto's thought
and art. It is evident that the whole research-oriented work is praiseworthy and
it ignores Manto's negative aspects of his bitterness of thought and art. The
fact is that Manto steers clear of the unpleasant contradictions of his age and
his group. That is the reason why he was popular and among the loved ones and
continues to be so, and that again is the reason of his being targeted by
critics. Till date this work of Brij Premi is the last word on Mantoo, and
for every student of the art of short story writing, this book is worth reading.
*(Translated from Urdu By Prof. M.L. Raina
)
Source: Kashmir
Sentinel
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