Aftab Ahmad
Seventh Letter to Uncle Sam
by Saadat Hasan Manto, translated from the Urdu by Matt Reeck and Aftab AhmanSaadat Hasan Manto (1912–1955) is a giant of South Asian fiction. His Urdu stories, vignettes, anecdotal prose, and satire place him squarely at the center of the Urdu canon. His continued cultural relevance can be attested to new dramatic works centered on his life and writing: the 2018 film Manto by the famous Indian actress, activist, and director Nandita Das, and the 2019 staging of Manto’s work by Motley, the Mumbai theater troupe of the famous Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah.
A Civilized Cemetery
by Saadat Hasan Manto, translated from the Urdu by Matt Reeck and Aftab AhmanSo great are the gifts of English civilization! Has it not given us backward Indians what we used to lack? Has it not told our shameless women how to show off their curves in ever yet newer ways? How to attract men with sleeveless blouses?
Miss Tinman
by Saadat Hasan Manto, translated from the Urdu by Matt Reeck and Aftab AhmanI was polishing my white shoes when my wife spoke up, “Zaidi’s here.” I gave my shoes to my wife, washed my hands and went into the next room where Zaidi was seated. I was shocked by his appearance.
Miss Mala
by Saadat Hasan Manto, translated from the Urdu by Matt Reeck and Aftab AhmanWhen the songwriter Azeem Gobindpuri was hired at ABC Productions, he immediately thought of his friend, the Music Director Bhatsave. Bhatsave was Marathi and had worked with Azeem on several films. Azeem knew how talented he was, and yet how can a man show off his skills when he’s working on stunt films?
Comfort
by Saadat Hasan Manto, translated from the Urdu by Matt Reeck and Aftab AhmadThis happened eight years ago to the day. My friend Bisheshar Nath’s wedding party was staying in the upscale marriage hall opposite Hindu Sabha College. There were around three hundred fifty guests who, after listening to the performances of famous prostitutes from Amritsar and Lahore, were sound asleep on the floor or in cots in the sprawling building’s many rooms.
