My Sahib

Mera Saheb was the first sketch in Manto’s book of sketches, ‘Gunjay Farishtay’ (Bald Angels). When I had read this book the first time, I thought Mera Saheb was the only angel who was not bald and was immaculate and totally without blemish like a heavenly angel. And curiously, Jinnah was the only person in the book whom Manto didn’t know first hand. He had never met him, had never sought to meet him, and had no sympathy for his political cause also. Before the partition of India, Manto was a nationalist and against the concept of Pakistan. He had no sympathy for the Muslim League and was against the Hindu ideologists also. His short story ‘Mootri’ (Public Urinal) gives a glimpse of his own thinking at that time. With that kind of Manto’s background in my mind, I was stunned to read Mera Saheb. Very few people could pay tribute to Jinnah the way Manto had done. The whole sketch is steeped in a deep sense of devotion and respect expressed in Manto’s unique style. His style in Mera Saheb is distinctly different from that that he used in writing the other sketches. There is not a whisper of loose and undignified expression in the whole sketch. While this is his unique style, as I said, it is so very different from his usual writings, at the same time. He used a style to describe Akhtar Shirani and his other dear friends that suited them. The style that he used for Mera Saheb suited a hero although Jinnah was not even his hero. Why did Manto choose to write such a beautiful sketch of the Qaid-e-Azam? I do not have a clue. He was unpredictable like any great writer.

A long time back, I had also thought of rendering Mera Saheb into English but I did not know what to do with the finished product. I am glad that Godot very thoughtfully selected to do so and Chowk published it at the most opportune time, August 14, when in 1947, Pakistan came into being on this day. It is indeed a heartfelt tribute of a great writer to the Great Leader. Pakistan Paindabaad

Mera Saheb was the first sketch in Manto’s book of sketches, ‘Gunjay Farishtay’ (Bald Angels). When I had read this book the first time, I thought Mera Saheb was the only angel who was not bald and was immaculate and totally without blemish like a heavenly angel. And curiously, Jinnah was the only person in the book whom Manto didn’t know first hand. He had never met him, had never sought to meet him, and had no sympathy for his political cause also. Before the partition of India, Manto was a nationalist and against the concept of Pakistan. He had no sympathy for the Muslim League and was against the Hindu ideologists also. His short story ‘Mootri’ (Public Urinal) gives a glimpse of his own thinking at that time. With that kind of Manto’s background in my mind, I was stunned to read Mera Saheb. Very few people could pay tribute to Jinnah the way Manto had done. The whole sketch is steeped in a deep sense of devotion and respect expressed in Manto’s unique style. His style in Mera Saheb is distinctly different from that that he used in writing the other sketches. There is not a whisper of loose and undignified expression in the whole sketch. While this is his unique style, as I said, it is so very different from his usual writings, at the same time. He used a style to describe Akhtar Shirani and his other dear friends that suited them. The style that he used for Mera Saheb suited a hero although Jinnah was not even his hero. Why did Manto choose to write such a beautiful sketch of the Qaid-e-Azam? I do not have a clue. He was unpredictable like any great writer.

A long time back, I had also thought of rendering Mera Saheb into English but I did not know what to do with the finished product. I am glad that Godot very thoughtfully selected to do so and Chowk published it at the most opportune time, August 14, when in 1947, Pakistan came into being on this day. It is indeed a heartfelt tribute of a great writer to the Great Leader. Pakistan Paindabaad

Ah, now there`s a fresh, new topic to discuss on Chowk. Jinnah. Wait, where`s ylh? We can drag Gandhi into this in no time. Deja vu all over again.

Godot:

A very very good choice indeed.

Thank you.

It is said that of ALL the writings about Jinnah this is THE best about the personna & personality of the Greatest Man of his time.

Shorn of all intellectualism and educatedness(the ills rotting us to the core these days) this is by a learned ``illiterate`` and written by the Greatest Writer produced by India & Pakistan as yet---(yes he `failed` in urdu exam twice & did not finish intermediate.He was under the tutelage of MAULANA Baari Alig for english/french prose-studies).

& the rest is his-story.

wassalaam.

``That was the time when Hindus did not kill etc ``

I had heard only good about Manto.

Pakistanis have been brainwashed to worship Jinnah as a god. They will love this. They will feel very emotional. Some will cry at goodness of their ``Great Leader``.

Because this is supposed to be an `emotional tale` I wont bring up how full of untruths this story is. It is a story of a servant toward his `massiah`. The same story of Pakistani public continues toward their dictator `messiahs` today. Nothings changed. Same hatred taught. Hindus kill. Same ruler ruled mentality.

Pakistanis can feel good about the only `god` they have left, even if it is a bogus one.