DefinePK

Abstract

This research explores the emergence of the new afsana (short story) in Urdu literature as a literary phenomenon that challenges traditional norms of authorship, authority, and structure. The study argues that the new afsana not only redefines the role of the afsana writer but also demands a more fluid, context-sensitive form of creativity. In recent decades, the rigid stylistic and thematic expectations once associated with classical afsana have gradually eroded, giving rise to experimental forms, hybrid narratives, and blurred genre boundaries. While the authority of the writer is questioned—particularly in relation to interpretation and control of meaning—creativity continues to retain its noble essence. However, it must adapt to contemporary socio-political realities, technological influences, and changing reader sensibilities. This paper critically examines how new afsana writers engage with the shifting landscape of fiction writing, negotiating between innovation and relevance. It also highlights the tension between literary freedom and the expectations of modern readership. By analyzing selected texts, the paper concludes that the new afsana represents not merely a departure from tradition, but a dynamic reconfiguration of creative agency.
Key Words:  Urdu fiction, creative authority, literary tradition, contemporary storytelling, writer-reader dynamics, experimental narrative