Title: Dozakhnama: Conversation in Hell Author: Rabisankar Bal Genre: Literary Fiction Published: 2010 Awards: Bankim Memorial Award (Bankimchandra Smriti Puraskar) - 2011 Translator: Arunava Sinha Full Playlist (Chapters) : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLljZAglIVIZzIGc1Tyhr--0E3Yru07pp3 Timestamps: 0:00 - Chapter 21 27:38 - Chapter 22 51:03 - Chapter 23 1:16:20 - Chapter 24 1:36:33 - Chapter 25 2:01:18 - Chapter 26 2:25:49 - Chapter 27 2:48:58 - Chapter 28 3:08:02 - Chapter 29 3:29:39 - Chapter 30 3:51:44 - Chapter 31 4:11:41 - Chapter 32 4:34:29 - Chapter 33 4:57:17 - Chapter 34 5:19:32 - Chapter 35 5:41:51 - Chapter 36 6:01:56 - Chapter 37 6:24:16 - Chapter 38 6:47:59 - Chapter 39 7:10:51 - Chapter 40 7:33:29 - Chapter 41 7:56:03 - Chapter 42 8:19:56 - Chapter 43 8:43:35 - Chapter 44 9:08:13 - Chapter 45 Dozakhnama: Conversations in Hell is an extraordinary novel, a biography of Manto and Ghalib and a history of Indian culture rolled into one. Setting: - Not a literal hell, but a metaphorical one. It represents the hardships and struggles both Mirza Ghalib and Saadat Hasan Manto faced in their lives. Characters: - Mirza Ghalib: A famous 19th-century Urdu poet known for his ghazals (love poems). The book explores his financial struggles, troubled relationships, and experiences during the decline of the Mughal empire. - Saadat Hasan Manto: A renowned 20th-century Urdu short-story writer known for his controversial and bold themes. The novel delves into his experiences with censorship, partition of India, and personal demons. Themes: - Love and Loss: Both Ghalib and Manto’s lives were marked by complex relationships and unfulfilled desires. - Creativity and Censorship: The novel explores the challenges faced by artists who push boundaries and the impact of social and political upheaval on creative expression. - Historical Context: The book portrays the social and political turmoil of the Indian subcontinent during Ghalib and Manto’s respective eras. Style: - Magic Realism: Blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, with elements of the afterlife and dreamlike sequences. - Dialogue Driven: The story unfolds primarily through conversations between Ghalib and Manto, offering insights into their thoughts and experiences. Dozakhnama is a unique and thought-provoking novel that transcends the boundaries of a simple historical fiction. It uses the concept of hell as a platform to explore larger themes of human existence and the power of literature.