About the Book
Lahore, first published in 1993, is Pran Nevil's tribute to the land of his birth. Grounded in memory and redolent with nostalgia, Neile's reminiscences transport the reader into the heart of Lahore as it was in the 1930s and 40s- a city bustling with activity where people coexisted harmoniously, unfettered by considerations of religion, region or caste. From the riotous seasonal festivities of kite-flying to clandestine love-affairs upon rooftops, from matinee shows at the cinema to twilight hours spent amongst the bejeweled dancing girls of Hira Mandi, Lahore emerges as a city of mesmerizing contradictions and chaotic splendour.
The author underscores the contrast between pre- and post-Partition Lahore, and the sense of pain, loss and longing for one's homeland experienced by the displaced millions in India and Pakistan is palpable. Evocate and informative, Lahore is at once social commentary, historical documentation and memoir.
CONTENTS
PREFACEix
INTRODUCTIONxi
SHOPPING IN ANARKALI1
ON THANDI SARAK IN A TONGA12
A TIME FOR FUN AND GAMES21
BO-KATA (THERE IT IS CUT)28
ROMANCE ON THE HOUSETOP35
FAZAL-THE ACE PIMP OF LAHORE43
THE SPLENDOURS OF HIRA MANDI OR TIBBI53
A WIDOWER'S DILEMMA 61
THE CHANGING WORLD OF WOMEN70
GOING TO THE CINEMA83
K.L. SAIGAL VISITS LAHORE91
ZINDA NAACH WA GANA (LIVE DANCE AND SONG)96
MAFIA DONS, MINSTRELS, MALANGS AND MENDICANTS105
A MIRACLE MEDICINE AND SEX MANUALS115
FOOD AND DRINK124
CLOTHES AND CLASS 132
STUDENTS AND TEACHERS139
PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS148
PUNTERS, BOOKIES AND JOCKEYS 155
PICNICS AND OUTINGS 159
POLITICIANS, PEOPLE AND THE OFFICIALS164
WAR YEARS169
EPILOGUE: LAHORE REVISITED 177
ANNEXURE: SONGS OF A BYGONEERA190
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY202
CLOSSARY 204
