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Contemporary Pakistani literature reflects a nation troubled By Dr Vaidehi Nathan Granta Pakistan, Granta, Pp 256 (PB), Rs £12.99/- FAMOUS writer Kamala Das had once remarked that the best literary works, (she emphasized on poems) come out of conflict. That must be true of Pakistan. Living in constant intra and international squabbles, the Pakistanis have not known much of peace. The Granta issue on Pakistan has to be viewed in this light, with that sympathy. The writers chosen for the issue largely fall in three categories - those who are living outside Pakistan - Daniyal Mueenuddin, Kamila Shamsie and Nadeem Aslam, those who have gone back - Mohsin Hamid and Mohammed Hanif and those living there. The last have been writing in Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Baluchi and English. Kamila Shamsie, an author, talks about the growing up years in Pakistan, in Karachi, about the music the adolescents loved, about the curtailed free movement because of the constant fear that ‘something will happen’ and the way the youth adapted to the scenario. Fatima Bhutto, author and granddaughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, talks about her quest-travel- for the Mangho Pir. The short and sweet poem by Hasina Gul, a broadcaster with Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation reads like this: We grow up/ but do not comprehend life./ We think life is just the passing of time./ The fact is,/ life is one thing,/ and time something else. Predictably there is a piece on Kashmir, by Basharat Peer, author and fellow at Open Society Institute, New York. Interspersed with illustrations - paintings, posters, - the book offers a comprehensive peep into the literary world of our western neighbour. The subtle works suggest a society that is grappling with its malaise. Politics is absent, but for a ‘portrait’ of Jinnah. (Granta, 12, Addison Avenue, London W11 4QR,)

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