Liking Progress, Loving Change: A Literary History of the ProgressiveWriters' Movement in Urdu

This book explores a critical history of the Progressive Writers' Movement (PWM) in India, particularly in the context of Urdu literature. It traces gradual emergence of political and social consciousness from the mid-nineteenth century, as reflected in Urdu literature of this period and brings to light the writers associated with it-from Faiz Ahmad Faiz to Ali Sardar Jafri. Affording rare insights into the role played by the Progressive Writers' Association (PWA)-and, from 1943 onwards, its partner organization, the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA)-the work critically analyses these twin forces' influence on literature and, by extension, on all forms of art and popular culture-radio and films.

Table of Contents:
Introduction; 1. The Linkages between Social Change and Urdu Literature: From 1850s till 1920s; 1.1 The Revolt of 1857 and its Aftermath; 1.2 Muslim Responses to 1857; 1.3 Literary Trends: 1857-1920s; 2. Rise of Socialist Consciousness: From 1900 till 1930s; 2.1 Political Background: 1900-1930s; 2.2 Introduction of Socialist Thought and Setting up of the CPI; 2.3 The Appearance of Socially-engaged Literature; 3. Analysing Angarey; 3.1 Five Stories by Sajjad Zaheer; 3.2 Two Stories by Ahmed Ali; 3.3 A Story by Mahmuduzzafar; 3.4 A Story and a Play by Mahmuduzzafar; 4. The Furor over the Publication of Angarey; 4.1 Why was Angarey Considered Incendiary?; 4.2 Reactions in the Press; 4.3 What the Angarey Quartet Did Thereafter; 5. Setting up the All-India Progressive Writers' Association; 5.1 Drawing up the Manifesto in London; 5.2 Back in India - The Build-up to the First AIPWA; 5.3 The Successes of the First AIPWA Conference, Lucknow; 6. From Shabab to Inquilab: A Study of Progressive Poetry from the 1930s-1950s; 6.1 The Glory Days (1936-1947); 6.2 Asrarul Haq Majaz (1909-1955); 6.3 Faiz Ahmad Faiz (1911-1984); 6.4 Makhdoom Mohiuddin and the Others; 7. From Fasana to Afsana: A Study of Progressive Prose from the 1930s-1950s; 7.1 Saadat Hasan Manto (1912-1955); 7.2 Ismat Chughtai (1915-1991); 7.3 Rajinder Singh Bedi, Krishan Chandar and the Others; 8. The Decline of the Progressive Writers' Movement; 8.1 Political Ramifications of the PWM; 8.2 The PWA in Pakistan; 8.3 Conclusion: The Rise and Fall of the PWA in India; 8.3.1 Reasons for Success; 8.3.2 Reasons for Decline; Bibliography; Annexure I: Major Writers and Poets Associated with the PWM; Annexure II: Some Important Dates in the history of the PWM; Annexure III: Major Progressive Literature in Urdu (1935-1955); Annexure IV: Three Versions of the First Manifesto of the AIPWA; Annexure V: Correspondence Regarding New Indian Literature; Index; About the Author

About the Author :
Rakshanda Jalil is a well-known writer, literary critic, and independent researcher; former Senior Associate Fellow, Council fo Social Development, New Delhi.