A pioneer of modern urdu writing, Rashid Jahan appeared on the literary scene with a bang in 1932. She was one of four twenty year olds, (and the only girl among them)  who brought out the urdu compilation- Angaarey. It was a collection of such sharp and incisive commentary about the upper class, especially the Muslim society of which they were a part, that there was an uproar. So much so that the British banned their book. 

Rashid was more than a writer, she was a true iconoclast. An activist deeply committed to the ideals of equality and justice. She was a doctor who  dressed in her 'khaddar' sari and sleeveless blouse and short hair, walked the dusty paths of rural areas, seeking and treating patients. She was a feminist, before anyone in her world knew the meaning of the word. She was a literary flag bearer, someone who later Ismat Chughtai said she was indebted to for opening her eyes.

While Rashid's writing  on and about women is stellar, today I chose a story that places her in the wider landscape of social commentary. 

A vast chasm starts with a minor crack and those at the fault lines are caught unawares. 

Like Shahni, the elderly widow whose world is about to change overnight for reasons she does not fully understand. 

Those who try to explain can find no words either and tout a hollow phrase “Sikka badal gaya”

I told this story live at the Majha House event recently. I am posting a podcast version here, in case you missed it or if you would like to share it. 

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In an ideal scenario, this poem should have been hummed by Bhupinder with a guitar strumming in the background. Since that’s a little hard to put together, here’s a poem I like, in my voice. 

I hope you like it too.

For the woman who knows there’s a young girl hiding inside her. The one that comes out to twirl everytime she wears a new dress. The one who knows the joy of putting an arm around her best friend’s shoulders laughing and singing and swaying to old melodies together. The one who cries on those same shoulders as often as she wants and without shame.

For the girl who longed to be a woman and for the woman who now pines for the girl she once was.

This short story by Krishna Baldev Vaid is made of stuff that makes you laugh and weep at the same time. 

Harishankar Parsai’s satire slices through the still waters of social status quo like an oar.

The subjects were all around him and no one was spared. He wrote fearlessly and consistently against social hypocrisy and political apathy.

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Tamas seared Indian television in the 80’s. Too young to fully comprehend its depths at the time, it disturbed me in ways that nothing I had read or seen until then had. It was frightening and fascinating. A world opened up for me. A few years later, my older sister acted in Bhisham Sahni’s plays ‘Hanoosh’ and ‘Kabira Khada Bazaar Mein’.

Today, after decades, when I sit and think of things that made me who I am, I can’t come up with one school book text or compulsory activity. Instead I see myself sitting in a shared razai watching Om Puri, his face an unusual mix of anger and fear. I see myself standing in the cold dark wings of Kamani Auditorium, handing out props as brilliant actors performed under golden pools of light on stage. I still remember lines from those plays.

Today, I share a short story by Bhisham Sahni, a writer who could create memorable characters so profoundly real, they could be one of us- complete with our contradictions and ironic humour.

Some stories say what they have to without raising their voice or a fist. Their beauty lies in their simplicity. Something that Subhadra Kumari Chauhan did well. Her characters are are people around her, the world of women and children, the inner courtyard of the home. Under that tree in that courtyard many a things happen, much is said, many lessons learned....but all quietly. Not with a shout but with a gesture.

Khwaja Ahmad Abbas was best known for his film scripts. He wrote nearly all of Raj Kapoor’s memorable films. He also wrote columns, articles and directed a few films too.

Tiddi is the story of a farmer Ramu who nurtures a simple dream- that of buying his beautiful wife a piece of jewellery with his earnings from his harvest. Tiddi or locust attack is only one of many things that stand in the way of his achieving his goal.

Today, a lesser known side of well known writer Mohan Rakesh. A children's tale!

This is the story of a Girgit, a chameleon who was so unhappy with his appearance that he was desperate to be anything. Anything but a girgit!!

Like all good stories for children, this one holds a useful lesson for adults too!

Mohan Rakesh was known for his plays. When his play "Ashadh Ka Ek Din" came out first, it got awards and critical acclaim and influenced Hindi theatre forever. "Ashaadh Ka Ek Din" along with his other notable plays 'Aadhe Adhure' and 'Lehron Ke Rajhans' have become classics of Indian theatre...performed by thespians and aspiring theatre artists alike. I am not sure if he wrote very many kid's stories or even ever came out with a collection. If someone knows better, please let me know too!

Balraj Sahni was more than an exceptional actor, he thought deeply about his work and what his contribution was to society at large. He wrote poetry, books, essays that were explorations of not just the world he lived in but also his own mind. He gave an exceptional convocation speech in 1972 at the Jawahar Lal Nehru University.You must look it up online if you are a Balraj Sahni fan. 

I hope you enjoy this glimpse into Balraj Sahni's mind. 

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