Ismat Chughtai (21 August 1915–24 October 1991) was an Indian Urdu language writer. Beginning in the 1930s, she wrote on themes like female sexuality and femininity, middle-class gentility, and class conflict, often from a Marxist perspective. With a style characterised by literary realism, Chughtai established herself as a significant voice in the Urdu literature of the twentieth century, and in 1976 was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
Chughtai was a liberal Muslim whose daughter, nephew & niece were married to Hindus. In her own words, Chughtai came from a family of "Hindus, Muslims and Christians who all live peacefully". She said she read not only the Qur’an, but also the Gita and the Bible with openness.
Many of her writings, including Angarey and Lihaaf, were banned in South Asia because their reformist and feminist content offended conservatives (for example, her view that the Niqab, the veil worn by women in Muslim societies, should be discouraged for Muslim women because it is oppressive and feudal). Many of her books have been banned at various times.
Born - 21 August 1915
Badayun, United Province, Uttar Pradesh, British India
Died - 24 October 1991 (aged 76)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupation - Writer, director
Language - Urdu
Nationality - Indian
Alma mater - Aligarh Muslim University
Genre - Short stories and Novel
Literary movement - Progressive Writers Movement
Notable works - Works of Ismat Chughtai
Notable awards - Padma Shri (1976)
Ghalib Award (1984)
Spouse - Shaheed Latif (1941–1967)
Children - Seema Sawhn
Sabrina Lateef
