Trends of Diversity in Altaf Fatima’s Fiction Writing

Abstract:

There is undoubtedly a considerable amount of research available regarding Altaf Fatima’s short story writing; however, her two books that came to light towards the end of her life, “Gawahi Aakhir-e-Shab Ki” and “Deed wa Deed,” demand special attention and research. The stories in these books incarnate various shades. The trends of diversity in her short stories are clearly evident in these collections. Topics such as the partition of the Subcontinent, Indian society, culture, social and psychological issues, class entanglements, global and economic discussions, the violation of values, the lust for wealth, moral decline, family issues, modern technology, and political scenarios are included in these collections, along with some personal sketches and memories that belong to her family. These stories are proof of Altaf Fatima’s intellectual and literary insight due to their diverse trends. These stories, apart from being based on reality, carry the fundamental observations and personal experiences of Altaf Fatima. In these stories, her art of short-story writing is seen at its peak, and these stories undoubtedly unveil many layers of Altaf Fatima’s personality and the era, which are discussed in this paper.

Keywords:

Altaf Fatima, short story, Gawahi Aakhir-e-Shab Ki, Deed wa Deed, partition

Romanised References:

1. Alṭāf Fāṭimah, Sipās Nāmah, incl. Dīd wa Dīd, Lahore: Jamhūrī Publications, 2017, p. 8.
2. ibid., p. 8.
3. Alṭāf Fāṭimah, Chamchah ke Baghair, incl. Dīd wa Dīd, Lahore: Jamhūrī Publications, 2017, p. 99.
4. Alṭāf Fāṭimah, Gaye Dīnon kā Surāgh, incl. Dīd wa Dīd, Lahore: Jamhūrī Publications, 2017, p. 204.
5. Alṭāf Fāṭimah, Basīray kī Woh Shab Thī, incl. Dīd wa Dīd, Lahore: Jamhūrī Publications, 2017, p. 227.
6. Alṭāf Fāṭimah, Gaye Dīnon kā Surāgh, incl. Dīd wa Dīd, p. 194.
7. Alṭāf Fāṭimah, Sōm Ras, incl. Dīd wa Dīd, Lahore: Jamhūrī Publications, 2017, p. 86.
8. Alṭāf Fāṭimah, Ṣabr, incl. Dīd wa Dīd, Lahore: Jamhūrī Publications, 2017, p. 243.
9. ibid.
10. Alṭāf Fāṭimah, Dam‑e Rukhsat, incl. Gawāhī Āḵhir‑e Shab kī, Lahore: Jamhūrī Publications, 2018, p. 65.
11. Alṭāf Fāṭimah, Senior Citizen, incl. Gawāhī Āḵhir‑e Shab kī, 2018, p. 283.
12. Alṭāf Fāṭimah, Tā’o aur Giṭho, incl. Gawāhī Āḵhir‑e Shab kī, 2018, p. 145.
13. Alṭāf Fāṭimah, Anjum Nāz Jamā‘at Haftum, incl. Gawāhī Āḵhir‑e Shab kī, 2018, p. 270.
14. Alṭāf Fāṭimah, Dukhon kā Byopārī, incl. Gawāhī Āḵhir‑e Shab kī, 2018, p. 160.
15. ibid., p. 161.
16. Alṭāf Fāṭimah, Sher Dahān, incl. Gawāhī Āḵhir‑e Shab kī, 2018, p. 333.
17. Alṭāf Fāṭimah, Khazān ke Rang, incl. Gawāhī Āḵhir‑e Shab kī, 2018, p. 373.
18. Alṭāf Fāṭimah, Gawāhī Āḵhir‑e Shab kī, 2018, p. 173.