Manto Books

Courting controversy

Saadat Hasan Manto, a writer from the subcontinent who was known for writing the truths of society that most did not. A student of the famed Aligarh Muslim University his works were, for the major part, written in Urdu. Manto's books caused a stir, with him having been called to the courts six times for obscenity, thrice before partition in British India and thrice after the creation of Pakistan. No part of the darker side of humanity was out of bounds for him to write about. Due to his work with the film industry, he is also known to have been friends with Noor Jehan, Naushad, Ismat Chughtai, Shyam and Ashok Kumar.

Over time many of his works have been used for reiterations as plays or movies. Saadat Hasan Manto was very against partition calling it an "overwhelming tragedy" and "maddeningly senseless". He was awarded the Nishaan-e-Imtiaz posthumously in 2012, for outstanding services to the country. Manto's personal story has been made into movies as well, one by Sarmad Khoosat in Pakistan and the other by Nandita Das in India. 

Manto books

With many writings, Manto's books include 22 collections of short stories, a novel, five series of radio plays, three collections of essays and two collections of personal sketches. Manto's books are considered to be among some of the best works to come from the subcontinent, held is high regard by writers and critics. His initial works were influenced by the leftist writers he had read. Later his works were influenced by his personal circumstances which were financially strained. This drawn-out time and his observation of the world around him all influenced his belief about the collective madness of society. 

Saadat Hasan Manto may have caused controversy in his time but today is looked upon with great revere. Even if those same issues he touched upon are still considered taboo. Manto books are available at a lower price point given they are locally published.