Navigating the Nuances of Contemporary Narratives: A Critical Exploration of Modern Trends in the Urdu Novel

Main Article Content

Dr. Zahid Akhtar Shaheen
Dr. Shazia Andleeb (Corresponding Author)
Rubina Tufail
Nasreen Akhtar
Sidrah Rahman
Shaukat Hussain

Abstract

Embarking on a journey through the transformative landscape of Urdu novels unveils a tapestry richly woven with the threads of socio-political and cultural narratives of the South Asian subcontinent. The evolution of Urdu novels is not merely a literary progression but a reflection of the societal, political, and cultural metamorphosis that has shaped the region. From tales that were deeply rooted in love and social norms, Urdu novels have burgeoned into a robust genre exploring a plethora of themes that mirror the multifaceted issues and ideologies of contemporary society.The historical trajectory of Urdu novels, particularly during the British colonial era, provides a lens through which the societal struggles, aspirations, and the stark dichotomy between various social classes during that period can be examined. The narratives, often poignant and reflective, served not only as a commentary on the prevailing conditions but also as a critique of the socio-political structures and norms that governed society.In the contemporary context, Urdu novels have embraced diverse themes, such as gender dynamics, social justice, and post-colonial identities, reflecting the complexities and challenges that pervade modern society. Writers like Umera Ahmed and Mohsin Hamid have navigated through themes of love, existential struggles, globalism, and existential anxiety, exploring the internal and external worlds of characters that resonate with readers across the globe.This article seeks to dissect the evolution and contemporary trends within Urdu novels, providing a meticulous overview of its historical context, thematic progression, influential writers, and its pervasive impact on society and culture. Through a detailed exploration of these facets, the article aims to offer insights into the past, present, and potential future of Urdu novels within the literary domain of South Asian literature.

Article Details

How to Cite
Dr. Zahid Akhtar Shaheen, Dr. Shazia Andleeb (Corresponding Author), Rubina Tufail, Nasreen Akhtar, Sidrah Rahman, & Shaukat Hussain. (2023). Navigating the Nuances of Contemporary Narratives: A Critical Exploration of Modern Trends in the Urdu Novel. Al-Qanṭara, 9(4), 67–73. Retrieved from https://alqantarajournal.com/index.php/Journal/article/view/333
Section
Articles

References

Jalal, A. (1994). The Sole Spokesman: Jinnah, the Muslim League and the Demand for Pakistan. Cambridge University Press.

Metcalf, B. D. (1995). Ideologies of the Raj. Cambridge University Press.

Kumar, P. (2000). The Urdu Novel: Historical and Sociopolitical Contexts. Oxford University Press.

Ahmed, A. (1984). Modern Urdu Literature and the Print Revolution. Journal of South Asian Literature, 19(1), 57-70.

Faruqi, S. R. (2003). Urdu Prose Writing: The Colonial Period (1800-1947). Modern Asian Studies, 37(2), 251-289.

Rahman, T. (1996). Language and Politics in Pakistan. Oxford University Press.

Hasan, M. (2005). India Partitioned: The Other Face of Freedom. Lotus Collection.

Ahmed, A. (2004). The Progressive Writers' Movement and the Urdu Novel. Annual of Urdu Studies, 19, 1-20.

Suvorova, A. (2000). Urdu: An Essential Grammar. Routledge.

Butalia, U. (1998). The Other Side of Silence: Voices from the Partition of India. Duke University Press.

Minault, G. (1998). Secluded Scholars: Women's Education and Muslim Social Reform in Colonial India. Oxford University Press.

Jalil, R. (2010). Liking Progress, Loving Change: A Literary History of the Progressive Writers' Movement in Urdu. Oxford University Press.

Kidwai, A. R. (2001). Literary Modernism and the Occident-Orient Exchange: Urdu and the Poetics of Abstraction. Annual of Urdu Studies, 16, 83-98.

Ahmed, U. (2004). Peer-e-Kamil (The Perfect Mentor). Urdu Novel.

Ahmed, U. (2002). Zindagi Gulzar Hai. Urdu Novel.

Hamid, M. (2007). The Reluctant Fundamentalist. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Hamid, M. (2017). Exit West. Riverhead Books.

Shamsie, K. (2017). In the World of Mohsin Hamid's Novels, Refugees Are the Ultimate Citizens. The Guardian.

Ahmed, U. (2004). Peer-e-Kamil (The Perfect Mentor). Urdu Novel.

Suvorova, A. (2000). Urdu: An Essential Grammar. Routledge.

Jalil, R. (2010). Liking Progress, Loving Change: A Literary History of the Progressive Writers' Movement in Urdu. Oxford University Press.

Minault, G. (1998). Secluded Scholars: Women's Education and Muslim Social Reform in Colonial India. Oxford University Press.

Hamid, M. (2007). The Reluctant Fundamentalist. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Kidwai, A. R. (2001). Literary Modernism and the Occident-Orient Exchange: Urdu and the Poetics of Abstraction. Annual of Urdu Studies, 16, 83-98.

Shamsie, K. (2017). In the World of Mohsin Hamid's Novels, Refugees Are the Ultimate Citizens. The Guardian.

Most read articles by the same author(s)