Ismat The Iconoclast

Some writers are fortunate enough to have a second innings not too long after their first flush of fame. Ismat Chughtai, who enjoyed the dubious distinction of sharing the tag of Urdu’s best-known enfant terrible with her friend and fellowwriter Manto, is one such writer.

Interestingly, both Manto and Ismat’s second innings have come through a crop of excellent translations into English that allow their work to be accessed by a wider and newer readership. As we witness a revival of interest in Ismat with several translations of her short stories, novels, essays and autobiographical writings into English crowding our shelves, we must pause to take note of the translator’s role in giving a new lease of life to a writer. Ismat is particularly blessed in having in Tahira Naqvi, a devoted and able translator.