The department of Urdu, University of Jammu today organized a thought provoking lecture on the “Art of two legendary short stories writers Ismat Chugati and Rajinder Singh Bedi. The lecture was organized in the Prof. Gian Chand Jain seminar hall of the department of Urdu in connection with the centaury celebrations of two legendary short stories writers Bedi and Ismat. The thought provoking lecture was delivered by Prof. Anwar pasha , Chairman School of Language, JNU, New Delhi. The Vice Chancellor of Jammu University Prof. R.D. Sharma while noted literatureer and former Dy. Chairman Legislative council Jb M.Y. Taing was the chief guest on the occasion. Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik HOD Urdu also grace the presidium.
In his lecture Prof. Anwar Pasha, described Ismat Chugtai and Rajinder Singh Bedi the towering Urdu short stories writers who gave new dimensions to Urdu fiction, both were associated with progressive writers movement and presented the realities of common masses in their short stories. Prof. Anwar pasha further said that Ismat and Bedi were contemporaries. Ismat wrote on sexual problems of Muslim women while Bedi presented the real picture of the villages of the state of Punjab. ‘Zedi’ is the popular novel of Isamt Chugtai while ‘Ek Chader Meli Se’ got a lot of name and fame in literature which is written by Rajinder Singh Bedi. They presented some of the character in their Short Stories from our society. These characters have a great relevance even today said Prof. Anwar pasha. He further said that both legendary short stories writer were well aware about the Art of Short Story writing.
In his impressive speech Jb. M.Y Taing too described Bedi and Ismat the pillars of Urdu short story, who through their writings projected the realities of downtrodden society members. After Prem Chand the two writers gave a lot of popularity to Urdu short story ‘Gharm Coat’. Rehman Ke Joote’, ‘Ek chader Mali Se’ are the short stories written by Bedi while ‘Chothi Ka Joda’, Lahaf’, are the popular short stories of ismat Chugtai.
In his presidential address Prof. R.D. Sharma Vice Chancellor of Jammu University too congratulated the department of Urdu, University of Jammu for organizing a series of programs in memory of two legendary short stories writers. He said that he himself attended these programs because of which he himself learn more and more about Bedi and Ismat. The two writers had a great contribution in the development of Urdu language and literature in the country. The students should be benefitted by organizing more programs on the two writers which would be befitting tribute to them.
Earlier in his welcome address the HOD Urdu Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik informed the gathering that the department had organized near about 25 function in connection with the birth anniversary of two legendary short stories writers till date. These types of programs would be organized in future also. The centaury celebration will be ended in the month of September 2016 by organizing a valedictory function in which a special number of TASASUL would be released on the ‘Art of Ismat and Bedi’. Prof. Shohab thanked the Vice Chancellor of Jammu University Prof R.D. Sharma for his support to the department. He said that it is because of the efforts of the Vice Chancellor that department of Urdu is organizing academic activities frequently.
The proceeding of the Program was conducted by Dr. Mohd Reyaz Ahmed while vote of thanks was presented by Prof. Sukhchain Singh. A large number of students, scholars and civil society members attended the program.