Ismat Chugtai

Ismat Chughtai (1911-91) was Urdu’s most courageous and controversial
woman writer in the twentieth century. She carved a niche for herself
among her contemporaries of Urdu fiction writers-Rajinder Singh
Bedi, Saadat Hasan Manto and Krishan Chander-by introducing areas
of experience not explored before. Her work not only transformed the
complexion of Urdu fiction but also brought about an attitudinal change
in the assessment of literary works. Although a spirited member of the
Progressive Writers’ Movement in India, she spoke vehemently against its
orthodoxy and inflexibility. Often perceived as a feminist writer, Chughtai
explored female sexuality while also exploring other dimensions of social
and existential reality.