نیر مسعود کی افسانہ نگاری: تہذیبی زوال اور نفسیاتی پیچیدگیوں کا تنقیدی جائزہ

Naiyer Masud’s Short Stories: A Critical Study of Cultural Decline and Psychological Complexity

Abstract

This research paper examines the short fiction of Naiyer Masud with a particular focus on the representation of cultural decline and psychological complexity. Naiyer Masud is regarded as one of the most distinctive voices in modern Urdu literature, known for his unique narrative style, symbolic depth, and subtle thematic expression. The main objective of this study is to analyze how Masud portrays the gradual decay of traditional Lucknow culture alongside the inner psychological conflicts of his characters. His stories reflect a world marked by fading values, social disintegration, and existential uncertainty, where cultural transformation and individual mental states are deeply interconnected. The significance of this research lies in highlighting Masud’s innovative contribution to Urdu fiction through his use of abstraction, ambiguity, and open-ended narratives that actively engage the reader in the process of interpretation. His narrative techniques, such as first-person narration, flashback, and symbolic imagery, construct a complex fictional universe that reveals multiple layers of meaning. The findings suggest that Naiyer Masud not only captures the decline of a cultural milieu but also explores profound psychological themes including fear, alienation, desire, and moral ambiguity. His stories challenge conventional storytelling by avoiding fixed conclusions and instead encouraging reflective reading. In conclusion, Naiyer Masud’s short fiction represents a powerful fusion of cultural memory and psychological insight, establishing him as a significant and innovative figure in Urdu literature.