Upendra Nath Ashk

Born Dec. 14, 1910, in Jullundur, Punjab. Indian writer. Writes in Hindi.

The theme of Ashk’s works is the life of the little man. Contemporary acute social themes, a vivid, realistic style, humane psychologism, and buoyant, sarcastic humor characterize his creative method. His one-act plays (Welcome, Lakshmi!, 1938; The Contemporary Tradition, 1941; Before the Storm, 1946) are of particular importance for Hindi literature: he sees them as means to a rebirth of the theatrical culture of India. As a playwright of short forms, Ashk has overcome the inertia of the genre specific to Indian literature and has created realistic contemporary drama. His favorite methods are dialogue that proceeds at two levels, dramatic motivation of dialogue, and exposition of characters. He is the author of a collection of verses, The Lamp Flares Up (1948), and of the novels Falling Walls (1947), Game of the Stars (1940), and The Mirror That Wanders Through the City (1963).