“Sarasvatī Asnān”
Ghazanfar
Introduced & translated by
Zainab Fatma
DOI https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.13292367
Abstract: Ghazanfar is a renowned Urdu fiction writer, poet and literary critic whose works revolve around the dynamics of society, its intricacies and the underlying problems. Through his writings, he familiarises the readers to often overlooked realities of life. Sarasvatī Asnān is a short story that also brings to the readers a slice of life that seems fresh but is indeed a glimpse into the world that exists within the folds of life. Through the meeting of the protagonist, Raghav and the boatman, the writer delves into the intricacies of life and sheds light on the constraints of the material world that man is trapped in. The encounter becomes a window to reflect on broader human experiences to reveal deeper truths of life and highlight selflessness and sensitivity in a profound manner. The confluence of the three rivers – the Ganges, the Yamuna and the Sarasvati becomes symbolic of the convergence of diverse individuals, varied worlds and differing ideologies, all uniting at a shared juncture known as humanity.
Keywords: Societal Dynamics, Selflessness, Sensitivity, Human Experiences
Works Cited
The translator has used the abridged version of the story presented by the author at a short story reading session at the Ved Vyasa Sabhagar, Sahitya Mahotsav, Literature festival organised by Sahitya Akademi (11-16 March, 2024).
Dr. Zainab Fatma holds a PhD in English Literature from Aligarh Muslim University where her research focused on city narratives and memory studies. She has looked at how select English and Urdu texts represent the city Delhi, capturing its essence and offering a different perspective to understand the city deeply. She has taught English Literature and Language at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, and Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Being always interested in translation, she has translated chapters from Urdu to English for publication in esteemed journals and edited volumes. Her translations include works by renowned authors such as Ale Ahmad Suroor, Rasheed Ahmad Siddiqui and Mirza Rajab Ali Beg. She has also been associated with the UGC SAP DRS II Project on Translation at the Department of English, Aligarh Muslim University.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2380-2933
znb.ma.english@gmail.com
“Sarasvatī Asnān” by Zainab Fatma is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 
