PAKISTANI LITERATURE IN ENGLISH By MUHAMMAD AZAM INTRODUCTION As with any nation, but particularly a new one, the story of Pakistani literature in English (also in Urdu) cannot be told without the backdrop of history. In 1947, the English language itself was a vexed and contradictory sp: on one hand the language of cruel colonists; on the other hand the language in which undivided Sub-continent’s politicians (Jinnah, Nehru, Ghandi and Liaquat Ali Khan) presented their demands for freedom and fair governance to the British. Thus, the pre-partition and early post-partition literature both in English and Urdu has weaved the fabric of tragic tale highlighting untold and unbearable atrocities inflicted by the ruthless rulers of British Raj on the pitiable people of subcontinent. The literature, thus made its appearance during the freedom movement, highlights the saga of Pakistan, the germs of extreme nationalism based on religious norms & social set-up, quest for freedom, protection of cultural & traditional heritage narrated with rigorous reasoning. However, the post-partition literature deals with the socio-political, ideological and ethnic problems of Pakistani society. PPA AR RE A HO os Muhammad Azam (Lecturer)-Cell #-0333-5418018 azam_num(@hotmail.comPRE-PARTITION FICTION The pre-partition fiction in the background of British held Subcontinent mirrors that barbarianism and brutal behaviour know no boundaries and barriers. The prominent writers of this period sketched and painted a dark picture of incessant strife, unceasing warfare, themes of extreme nationalism, paramount cause of conflict between Hinduism and Islam, caste system, untouchability, taboos in food, idol worship, incarnation, polytheism and even metempsychosis. PROMINENT WRITERS -TRENDS & THEMES The first and most prominent Muslim writer, who recorded the atrocities of British Raj in subcontinent with a particular sense of despair and dejection, is AHMED ALI, who, in 1940, wrote the gem Twilight in Dethi, which is set in 1911, in a Muslim Neighbourhood in Delhi, where despair over the downfalll of the Mughals and the rise of the British is strong. Ali was bilingual but chose to write the novel in English to provide both Anglicized Indians and the English themselves with an alternative to the “Official Narrative” of the Raj. And so alongside tragedy, the Pakistani Novel started with the use of English to illustrate another side of the story i.e. portraying the theme of lost freedom and nationalism. However, within Pakistan there remains much bickering about, who exactly should qualify as a Pakistani Writer, on the other hand the prominent Muslim contemporaries of Ahmed Ali were Feroze Khan Noon, Mumtaz Shahnawaz and Khwaja Ahmed Abbas, who also painted the pathetic picture of Pre-partitioned Sub-continent. FEROZ KHAN is well known for his autobiography, “From Memory” (1966) and the only novel “Scented Dust” highlighting the sociological aspects Muhammad Azam (Lecturer)-Cell #-0333-5418018 azam_num(@hotmail.comof life in sub-continent i.e. the laws of social and religious life in both Muslim and Hindu Community, KHWAJA AHMAD ABBAS, who was a socialist and nationalist, wrote two novels, a novelette, a drama, two collections of short stories, two travelogues and one account of journalism. His famous literary works are “Tomorrow is ours (novel), Blood and Stones (novelette), The Umbrella, Flowers for Her Feet, Twelve Hours, Saffron Blossom and Reflection in Mirror (Short Stories). The major themes in his works pertain to socialist and secular nationalistic movements, theme of courtesan and prostitution, Hindu-Muslim contraversies and atrocities in sub-continent. MUMTAZ Shahnawaz, who was a political activist, got her poem published under the title “The Spectator”. The famous political novel “The Heart Divided” which she wrote between 1943 and 1948 sketches the creation of Pakistan in Indian Muslims ” point of view. ‘The novel deals with the theme of renunciation of the idea of Hindu-Muslim Unity and the acceptance of the idea of creating a separate state for the Muslims called Pakistan. This theme is expressed through the plot which consists of the changing relationship of a Hindu and a Muslim Family. It is also a realistic and honest treatment of the polities of India and the lack of distortion of the truth redeems this novel from the charge of being boring at places, Muhammad Azam (Lecturer)-Cell #-0333-5418018 azam_num(@hotmail.com