While many of us are familiar with Ismat Chughtai’s work, it is rare to discover her interactions with literati when she visited Pakistan. This treasure trove has been pulled out from the archives of Herald Magazine, courtesy Asif Farrukhi, when he interviewed her for the magazine in 1985.
Read this delightful interview to get an insight on Ismat’s views on the future of Urdu, the role of the Progressives, her praise for Manto, her story Lihaaf and the controversy around it.
Her playful, cutting and witty demeanor throughout the interview establish her without doubt as the audacious doyen in the annals of Urdu Literature.
Zambeel Dramatic Readings is grateful to Asif Farrukhi for sharing this document.
Click on PDF thumbnail to read the interview.

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