– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: Literary critic and JNU professor Anwar Pasha highlighted Saadat Hasan Manto’s talent for exposing human psychology, social tensions, class struggles, and society’s reality. He spoke at the Munshi Nawal Kishore Memorial Lecture, hosted by Jamia Millia Islamia’s Urdu Department.
Prof. Pasha, in his talk on “Manto’s Aesthetics,” explored Manto’s artistic depth, comparing him to a polisher refining readers’ perception of beauty. He said Manto embodies eternal human essence despite seeming disturbing. His aesthetics go beyond wordplay, serving as a mirror to society’s flaws.
“Manto finds beauty in hard realities, redefining aesthetics,” Prof. Pasha noted. “He sees the self’s deepest essence in seemingly repulsive and immoral actions.” He added that Manto’s characters are not mere class symbols but reflect unique individuality.
In his presidential address, Prof. Kausar Mazhari, head of Urdu Department, praised Prof. Pasha’s deep insight and presentation. Calling the lecture intellectually stimulating, he said it offered new perspectives on Manto, revealing his human values and depth. He recommended Shakeel-ur-Rehman’s book “Manto Shanasi” for better understanding.
Prof. Sarwarul Huda, lecture convenor, managed proceedings and highlighted Munshi Nawal Kishore’s contributions to publishing.
The event saw participation from Professors Shahzad Anjum, Ahmed Mahfouz, Imran Ahmed Andleeb, research scholars, and students, including Dr. Shah Alam, Dr. Khalid Mubashir, Dr. Syed Tanveer Hussain, Dr. Muhammad Muqim, Dr. Adil Hayat, Dr. Shadab Tabassum, Dr. Muhammad Adam, Dr. Javed Hassan, Dr. Saqib Imran, Dr. Raheen Shama, Dr. Ghazala Fatima, Dr. Naushad Manzar, Hanbal Raza, and Muhammad Arif.
