Jaipur Literature Festival: Javed takes 'Lihaaf' off Ismat, Annie

Though a large audience turned up for the session titled, ‘Ismat and Annie’, few in the crowd knew what the discussion would be about. Presumably then, they were there to be charmed by poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar, a JLF regular and crowd favourite.

But, surprised by the turnout, the speakers--- Akhtar, Ameena Saiyid and Syed Shahid Mahdi---decided that it’s best they educate the audience about the two female writers, Ismat Chugtai and Qurrat-ul-ain Hyder (fondly known as Annie) before they began.

After Saiyid, who is also related to Hyder, fondly recalled her memories of ‘Annie’, Akhtar took over, pointing out the similarities and differences between the two authors.

“They are both some of the finest authors of their time, but were very different in their styles and personalities,” revealed the author, who was known to both the writers while they were alive.
Pointing out that both the authors had also written semi-autobiographical works, Akhtar added that they were extremely intellectual. “But, when it came to temperament, they were very different,” he stated, illustrating it with examples of how the fiery Ismat Chugtai would not shy away from using colourful obscenities, while Annie would be very careful about her choice of words.

“Once, Krishan Chander told Ismat Apa of a ‘bechari lady’ who had just been widowed. And Ismat Apa reprimanded him saying that it was the best thing to have happened to her. She was so passionate about it, that Chander later said he walked away feeling that greatest service he could do to his wife would be to kill himself,” Akhtar laughed heartily as the audience joined him.
Urging the audience to take the time out to learn how to read the works of these writers in Urdu, Akhtar added that it is sad that few people are reading their books today.

“It is a mark of a great author when you become greater over time. And I have seen that both, Ismat and Annie are becoming bigger with each passing day,” he ended.