Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Aug 26: As part of hundred year celebrations of Sadat Hassan Manto, well-known avant garde Urdu short story writer, a two-day national seminar on his Life and Works, was inaugurated at University of Jammu (JU), here today.
Organized by Center for Professional Studies in Urdu, JU, in collaboration with National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), New Delhi and Department of Urdu, JU, the seminar was inaugurated by Dr Reyaz Punjabi, former VC Kashmir University, while Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, VC, JU, presided over the function and Dr Khwaja Ekram, Director NCPUL was guest of honour.
In his presidential address Prof Ishar said that Manto was against the partition of the country, which led him to write short stories like “Toba Tek Singh”, “Tetwal Ka Kuta” and “Thunda Ghost”. Prof Ishar further said that Manto was ahead of his times and it is now we are trying to understand and appreciate his revolutionary thinking as reflected in his writing.
Prof Shohab Inayat Malik Director Centre for Professional studies in Urdu, Kisttwar Campus, threw light on the life and works of Sadat Hassan Manto. He said some of marvelous stories by him are “Thunda Ghost”, “Kali Shalwar”, “Mozeel”, “Dowan”, “Bhoo”, “Upar Niche our Darmiyan”, “ Neeli Ragaien” and others. He also informed that NCPUL has sanctioned Rs 1 lakh for organizing another seminar in Kishtwar Campus which would be organized on November 11, 2012. Prof Reyaz Punjabi, in his address said that Manto was not only a progressive short story writer but also wrote dramas, letters, radio features also.
Dr Khwaja Ekram, said that Manto’s century celebrations are being celebrated throughout the Urdu world. JU had already organized three programs on Sadat Hassan Manto and also published the papers presented in earlier seminars in a book form titled “Manto Ki Adbi Jihat” edited and complied by Prof Shohab Inayat Malik, he said.
On this occasion the special number of ‘Firk-o-Taqqi on Manto’ was also released. The proceeding of the function was conducted by Dr Mohd Reyaz Ahmed, while the vote of thanks was presented by Prof Sukhchain Singh, HoD Urdu, JU.
Later the first academic session was presided over by Dr Khwaja Ekram and those who presented papers on the life and works of Sadat Hassan Manto included Dr Aqeel Sheikh, Dr Kazim, Dr Altaf, Dr Zahore and Prof Qudose Javeed.
The main attraction of the inaugural session was the performance of two plays titled ‘Toba Tek Singh’ and ‘Hatak’ by the artist of the Amateur Theater Group and Anamika Arts, Jammu. Based on the short stories of Manto, the play ‘Toba Tek Singh’ an adaptation by Mohan Bhagwat, and directed by Mushtaq Kak, was a scathing critique of the on partition, which Manto never subscribed to. The cast of the play included Sourav, Irfan, Sunil, Mohit Mehra, Mohit, Chib, Deepak Virdi, Ayaam Ali.
While ‘Hatak’—adapted for dramatization by talented local writer Rajneesh Gupta and directed by Rajesh Raina and Tapeshwar Dutta —through the life of protagonist, a prostitute unmasked the double standards of the so-called respectable members of the society. Sapna Soni in the role of prostitute gave an impressive performance. She was equally supported by competent acting by Tapeshwar Dutta, Vijay Goswami and Aaditya Bhanu. Sanjay Rohmetra oversaw the production.
Despite the lack of infrastructure, both the plays marked with intelligent production designs and competent performances of actors, were applauded by the audience, which comprised of invited scholars, faculty and students of JU and members of civil society.
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