Urdu Novel in the 21st Century: A Study of Social Awareness
Keywords:
Novel and Pakistani Social Crisis, Contemporary Social Issues, Global Supremacy, Capitalist System and Consumerism, Identity Crisis, Globalization and its Effects, Racial and Linguistic Conflicts, Existential Anguish, Collapse of Human Values, Skepticism and UncertaintyAbstract
In the early decades of the 21st century, the Urdu novel effectively highlighted the complex realities of Pakistani society. The scope for change within the society is progressively shrinking, resulting in a deep social conflict that is impacting the entire social system. The ruling classes are making concerted efforts to preserve this decaying system to safeguard their exploitative interests, viewing any new change as a threat to their political and economic gains. Against this backdrop, the Urdu novel has presented these grave issues with a sense of realism. In the 21st century, troubling changes have emerged within Pakistani society, notably the rise of consumerism, class disparities, and extremism. Urdu novelists have not only incorporated these issues into their narratives but have also analyzed them critically. Through various novels, the effects of social stratification, class differences, and the impact of democratic and military governments have been illuminated. Novelists like Hassan Manzar, Muhammad Asim Butt and Mirza Athar Baig have made global influences, terrorism, and social issues in Pakistan the central themes of their work, resulting in a significant transformation in the creative landscape of the Urdu novel. Although the search for new creative dimensions in this genre continues, the Urdu novel remains distinctive in its ability to present the complexities and internal contradictions of society in a profound manner.
