Hum Fida-E-Lucknow

by Amritlal Nagar, Aparna Deval (Narrator)

Amritlal Nagar is considered as one of the most prominent Hindi writers of the 20th century. His ability to create relatable and multi-layered characters comes from his experience as a journalist where he researched and interviewed several artists and brought out different aspects of their personality. He worked for All India Radio and also wrote several films. Most famous as a novelist, his important works include Boond aur Samudra, Suhaag ke Noopur, Maanas ka Hans and Nachayo Bahut Gopal.

Hum Fida-e-Lucknow is an anthology of stories written by Amritlal Nagar where he weaves fictional narratives around the many colourful characters that one could easily find in the city of Lucknow. As the place where he spent almost all his life, his fascination, love and memories of Lucknow come together in this work. In the 14 stories presented here, he tries to address various colours of Lucknow - each unique and different and yet connected in some way. His language has that rare ‘Lakhnavi’ humour that only someone who has lived in Lucknow for so long can acquire and appreciate in its entirety. He introduces the listener to a series of charming and vibrant characters in stories like ‘Nawab Sahab’, ‘Banafsa Begum ke Noor-e-Nazar’, ‘Haji Kulfiwala’, ‘Khatakin Bhabhi’, ‘Humare Padosi Munshi Bakhtawarlal’ and ‘Nazeer Miyan’ while also providing a detailed account of the culture, society and everyday life of the city, laced with his wit and humour, in stories like ‘Chakallas', ‘Peepal-Pari ki Dastaan’, ‘Julab ki Goli’, ‘Shahar ka Andesha’, ‘Dafeene ki Khudayi’, ‘Lakhnavai Holi’ and ‘Jantar-Mantar’.

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

He started off as an author and journalist, but moved on to be an active writer in the Indian film industry for 7 years. He worked as a drama producer in All India Radio between December 1953 and May 1956. At this point he realised that a regular job would always be a hindrance to his literary life, so he devoted himself to freelance writing.

Often cited as the true literary heir of Premchand, Amritlal Nagar created his own independent and unique identity as a littérateur and is counted as one of the most important and multi-faceted creative writers of Indian literature.

Reviews

[Shailesh Patel · Rating 3 out of 5]

अमृतलाल नागर जी की शैली जो सुरदास की कहानि मे महशुस किया वह ईस छोटी छोटी कहानियों में नहीं हो पाया। लखनऊ के किरदारों के साथ जो तहजीब ओर गंगा जमनी का संगम अच्छा है। कुल मिलाकर मुझे यह इतना ज्यादा पसंद नहीं आया जबकि मे नागरसाहब का प्रशंसक हुं।

[Shashank Mishra]

गांधी बाबा के जन्मदिन की छुट्टी में किताब बांच ली गयी.. एक दिन में पढ़ ली गयी मतलब, पढ़ी जा सकती है.. लखनऊ में रहे हैं, लखनऊ का सुने हैं आप, तब तो पक्का मजा आएगा.. कहानियां कितनी अच्छी, कितनी बुरी हैं- इसको कभी आराम से समझेंगे..

[Amrendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book on Lucknow and it's people. The book contains 14 short stories that are quintessentially Lucknawi in style, content and jabaan.

Most interesting are the characters who come alive and exude the colour and romance of Lucknow that makes the book immensely readable. There is a certain authenticity to them that brings out the Lucknow charm and beauty. Busy and helpful नजीर मियां, the troubled बनफ्सा बेगम, resourceful हाजी कुल्फीवाला - there are many alive characters that make the book immensely readable.

[Naveen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stories are average and unnecessary use of urdu language make them even more dull.

[Abhaga · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection not really of stories, but of tales, satirical pieces based in Lucknow. It does bring out the taste of Lucknow, its language, its tahzeeb (culture) but tales are nothing to write home about.