Ismat Chughtai (1915-91)

Born in Badaun. The only major woman writer in 40s radical Urdu literary movements (see Manto and ​Krishan Chander). Her most famous stories are set in middle-class, often orthodox Muslim society and strongly imbued with sexual symbology informed by Freudian psychoanalysis (see Tahira Naqvi in Chughtai, 1990). Some of her writing caused major controversy for its violation of traditional morality codes: Lihaaf (1942) provoked obscenity trial in Lahore. Married to film-maker Shaheed Latif and was closely involved with the making of Ziddi (1948), Dev Anand’s first major hit. Worked as scenarist and occasionally as producer with Latif (Arzoo, 1950; Darwaza, 1954; Society, 1955; Sone Ki Chidiya, 1958). Involved as dialogue writer and actress in Benegal?’s Junoon (1978). Wrote the story for Sathyu?’s Garam Hawa (1973) and the dialogues of Amar Kumar’s films Barkha Bahar (1973) and Mehfil (1978). Wrote and co- directed Faraib (1953). Directed the children’s film Jawab Ayega (1968) and the documentary My Dreams (1975).

Writer