Emerging Kashmiri author Arizoo Riyaz has made her literary debut with the release of her Urdu short story collection titled “Nafas-e-Qalam.” The book introduces a fresh voice in contemporary Urdu fiction and reflects the author’s distinctive storytelling style.
Written in a bold and thought-provoking tone, Nafas-e-Qalam draws inspiration from the fearless literary tradition associated with writers such as Saadat Hasan Manto and Ismat Chughtai. Through its stories, the collection explores complex social realities, encouraging readers to reflect on issues related to society, power, and human relationships.
Blending satire with introspection, the stories attempt to mirror society by highlighting its contradictions, hypocrisies, and unspoken tensions. The narrative style aims to provoke thought while presenting the emotional and moral dilemmas individuals often face within social structures.
Speaking about the book, Arizoo Riyaz said the collection is meant to amplify voices that are often judged or ignored. She described Nafas-e-Qalam as “a mirror of society written in society’s own language.”
Originally from Anantnag, Kashmir, Arizoo Riyaz is an alumna of Aligarh Muslim University. Her writing frequently engages with themes of identity, morality, gender expectations, and the subtle emotional struggles that exist beneath social conventions.
Nafas-e-Qalam marks Riyaz’s first published work and adds a new perspective to the evolving landscape of contemporary Urdu literature.