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 1 21:53 - Chapter 2 43:31 - Chapter 3 1:02:14 - Chapter 4 1:18:50 - Chapter 5 1:36:35 - Chapter 6 1:55:36 - Chapter 7 2:10:32 - Chapter 8 2:32:23 - Chapter 9 2:52:15 - Chapter 10 3:15:55 - Chapter 11 3:42:35 - Chapter 12 4:06:57 - Chapter 13 4:30:19 - Chapter 14 4:51:43 - Chapter 15 5:16:30 - Chapter 16 5:36:24 - Chapter 17 5:56:25 - Chapter 18 6:17:17 - Chapter 19 6:38:22 - Chapter 20 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.