Notable Urdu novelists of the 21st century include:
This page includes those novels which have been widely discussed in Urdu literary magazines, newspapers and have been welcomed by literary critics.
Rahman Abbas was well known and widely discussed contemporary Urdu novelist. He has written three novels i.e. 'Nakhlistan Ki Talash' (2004), 'EK Mamnua Muhabbat Ki Kahani'(2009) and 'Khuda Ke Saaye Mein Ankh Micholi' (2011). Rahman Abbas got National Award for his second novel 'EK Mamnua Muhabbat Ki Kahani'] and Fiction Award for his third novel 'Khuda Ke Saaye Mein Ankh Micholi'by Maharashtra State Urdu Sahitya Academy for year 2012.]These novels have raised issues of cultural identity and existential problems of contemporary Indian Muslims. Rahman Abbas has done experiment of forms in 'Khuda Ke Saaye Mein Ankh Micholi' whereas in two other novels he has dealt seriously with the issues of terrorism and different forms of terrorism in sub-continent context.]
Zauqui's novel Le Sans Bhi Ahesta was based upon psychological trauma of children who were born soon after the partition of India and Pakistan. It is a well crafted novel. In last few years Rahman's novel'EK Mamnua Muhabbat Ki Kahani and Zauqui's novel 'Le Sans Bhi Ahesta' have been widely debated in literary magazines. Rahman's novel is a love story which also reflects how religious groups damage the composite culture of India in the name of culture of religion. On the other hand Rahma Abbas novel Khuda Ke Saaye Mein Ankh Micholi is a novel about a man suffering from existential crisis who feels that he is held hostage by societal pressure and paradoxes. Noorul Hasian stated in his book Naya Afsana Naye Naam that both writers i.e. Zauqui and Rahman Abbas have broken conventional boundaries in search of new style and made their work readable.
Paigham Afaqui's Paleeta (2011) was the second novel of the author of the novel Makaan. The novel has received even more serious attention than Makaan which was published in 1989 and while Makaan is known as a modernist novel, Paleeta is being recognized as a post-modern-post colonial novel of significance.It is story of its central character Khalid 's death due to inhaling the agonies of the century as a poison and his resurrection in the form of an ever growing book of consciousness published posthumously and making rage among public. The novel demonstrates not only a fresh approach to the historical reality of the century but also a technique of narrative that is unique.
Farooqi's novel Kai Chand The Sar-e-Asman had also got attention when it was published in 2006. Later, author translated it into English and Hindi. However, in the contemporary Urdu fiction Farooqi's novel was being considered as a burdened by documentation and stuff borrowed from history.]
Noorul Hasnain, Tarannum Riyaz, Abbus Samad, Gazanfar, and Shaista Fakhari have also published their novels during this period. Norul Hasanain's novel 'Aiwano ke khabida Chirag', Shaista Fakhri's novel 'Nadida Baharon Ke Nishan' have also got attention of Urdu fiction readers. Gazanfar's novel Manjhi and Abdus Samad's novel 'Shikast Ki Awaz' have got reviews in literary magazine.
Naeem Baig is a novelist and short story writer who has conceived novels and short stories(afsanas) in Urdu and English Languages.He is a former senior Banker & Engineering management Consultant. A major part of his career was spent outside the country including Europe, Africa & Middle East. Presently he lives in Lahore with his family.