‘Katal/Qatal’ is narrated by the son of an artisan who is on his death-bed. The story captures complex spousal, parental and familial connections. Jinder ends the story inconclusively leaving the narrator as well as the reader/listener guessing whether the man died of natural causes or of strangling by the wife he cheated on all his life. This short story is considered among his masterpieces.

An excerpt - “When I reached the courtyard holding tumbler of tea in each hand, Bibi stood bending over Bapu. Her hands were close to his neck. I slowly inched towards the window. I thought Bibi was nervous. She was repeatedly adjusting her shawl and spreading it out as if she did not want anyone to see what she was doing..." (from translation by Madhuri Chawla)

Jinder (b. 1954 Ladhran, Nakodar) has published 7 short stories collections, 2 travelogues and an autobiography in two parts. He has also edited 18 collections of short stories; he has translated 2 books from Hindi to Punjabi. Jinder has also translated Ramdarash Mishra’s Chonvian Kahanian from Hindi to Punjabi.

Jinder’s two short story books were published in Hindi in 1997 and in Shahmukhi in Pakistan in 1998. His collections ‘Nahin Main Nahin’ was published in 2000 and 2004, ‘Bina Wajah Taan Nahin’ in the years 2004, 2013 and Zakham in 2010, 2013 and 2014. The latter book was also published in Marathi language in 2013. His book ‘Zakham, Dard Aur Paap’ was published in 2011 and collection of all stories ‘Tehzeeb’ in 2012. Jinder’s selection of stories was published in 2014 ‘Awazaan’, and ‘Siyasat Khed Siyasat’ in 2020.

Jinder’s two travelogues are titled ‘657 Meel’ and ‘Chal Jinder Islamabad Chaliye’ in 2016. The latter is a well-read travelogue and is available in Shahmukhi script.

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- Manpreet Sahota

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