*Lahore literati laud Mujahid Eshai’s English translation of Saadat Hassan Manto’s non-fiction work
The literati of Lahore Friday appreciated Mujahid Eshai’s English translation of Saadat Hassan Manto’s non-fiction works at a ceremony held at the Lahore Arts Council to mark the book’s launch.
Participants of the ceremony discussed various aspects of the life and times of Manto and the neccessity of the translation of his non-fictional works.
Renowned lawyer Abid Hassan Manto’s review of the translation was read out by his daughter at the ceremony.
“Eshai has done well to translate into English a selection of Manto’s non-fictional work and the essays written about him by his friends and contemporaries,” the review read.
It further read that Eshai has broadened the canvas for all to access Manto in the context of his social influences and political compulsions.
Renowned critic Masood Ashar said that translation is an art which everyone handles in his own way. He termed the English translation of Manto’s non-fictional work a “big contribution” to already available works.
He said that English translations are so rampant because the language has become a need for survival in the global world. “The new generation is unaware of Urdu. If we do not translate Urdu literature, we will deprive our youth from a rich literary treasure,” he said, adding that the prevalent circumstances have made Manto all the more relevant.
Playwright Sarmad Sehbai lauded Eshai’s efforts and his command over both English and Urdu language and opined, “Nothing will be lost in translation.” He appreciated the cover page of the Eshai’s book, saying that it “completely depicts Manto”. He also praised Krishan Chandar’s depiction and termed it “wonderful”.
“This translation evokes our immediate issues including corruption, police complacency, etc,” said Sehbai.
