Description of Lucknow culture and society in Anees Ashfaq's novel "Khawab Sarab"

Abstract

Anees Ashfaq belongs to the cultural city of Lucknow. He received his education from this city ain 1983. He was appointed as a permanent lecturer in the Urdu department of Lucknow University. After serving for some 32 years, he retired as a professor and president in 2012. Anees Ashfaq grew up in the academic company of important and renowned writers, and this boosted his creative and critical skills. He has published 25 books and more than 300 articles on creation, criticism and research. His famous critical books include “Urdu Ghazal Mein Alamat Negari”, “Adab Ki Baaten”, “Bahas o Tanqeed”, “Ghazal Ka Naya Alamati Nizam” and “Ghalib Dunyae Maani Ka Mutalia”. He has penned three very important novels, “Dukhiyaray” (2014), “Khwab Sarab” (2017) and “Pari Naz Aur Parinday” (2018). All three novels have gained great popularity in the subcontinent. His collection of fiction, “Katbay Parhny Walay” has also gained considerable fame. His travelogue “Dar-e-Shahr-e-Doostdaran” about Karachi, published in 2016, was also widely read in India and Pakistan. In 2019, his poetry collection “Ek Neza Khone-e-Dil” was published. Anees Ashfaq has also written monographs on famous writers. His recently published book “Nayer Masood: Hama Rang Hama Daan” is being much loved in literary circles. His three books, “Seedhi Baaten Sada Matalib”, “Adab Ki Baaten” (Second Enhanced Edition) and “Darya Kay Rang“, “Urdu Marsiye ki Manavi Jihat” are ready for publication. Anees Ashfaq has participated in many national and international literary gatherings. He is a member of many prestigious literary institutions and has been awarded several important literary awards in the country and abroad. This article is based on the culture of Lucknow in his novel “Khawab Sarab”