In Urdu, the genre of khaaka nigari [sketch writing] has evolved its own distinct style when we compare it to what is called biographical essays in English. The names of Mirza Farhatullah Baig, Ismat Chughtai and Saadat Hasan Manto merit a mention at the outset. Maulvi Abdul Haq’s contribution to this genre — through his collection Chund Hum Asr [A Few Contemporaries], first published in 1950 — is important because he wrote about those who remained invisible to the eyes of the affluent and educated.
Since the middle of the 20th century, we have seen many such writings appear in newspapers, magazines and collections, with both serious personality sketches as well as caricatures in prose that humour a person or their work. Some important names in Pakistan that come to my mind immediately include Dr Aftab Ahmed, Ahmad Bashir, Sahab Qizilbash, Dr Aslam Farrukhi and Mushfiq Khawaja. There are some sketches which can also fall in the categories of pure satire and humour writing. However, the personality sketches that attract most attention are those that present a factual portrayal of a person, laced with humour and wit.