Kallu
ISMAT CHUGHTAI
Introduction to ‘Kallu’
‘Kallu’ is a short story written by Ismat
Chughtai, an eminent Indian writer in Urdu,
known for her indomitable spirit and a fierce
feminist ideology.
The story takes on a critical view of the
typical North Indian middle class Muslim
families during the 1950s.
‘Kallu’ is a very powerful story dealing with a
young boy labourer in a middle class Muslim
household. The prejudice against people
who are financially weak or belong to lower
caste has been highlighted excellently by
the author.
A note on the
author
Ismat Chughtai led an unconventional life,
went in for higher education, took up a job,
lived alone, married a man of her choice and
was cremated, as she had desired, instead of
being buried.
After Rasheed Jahan, she was the first Muslim
woman to write novels and short stories in Urdu.
Chughtai wrote many stories before she was
actually published in 1939. With a keen eye and
an incisive intelligence she looked into the lives
of a whole range of Muslim women from the
middle class in the suburban towns of Uttar
Pradesh. Her stories were often controversial.
She also wrote for films and several of her
stories have been made into films. Of
these, Garam Hawa (1973) won a great
deal of acclaim.
In 1975, she received the Padma Shri for her
contribution to Urdu Literature.
Characteristics of Kallu
Kallu was a nice boy, quiet, obedient and a faithful
labour to mumani aunty.
He did all household chores and he worked so
hard that he didn’t have time to even play.
His mother comes to visit him and even she put
him in to works. And he likes salima bi and he had
some love for her inside him.
When he to visit their family as a deputy collector
he was so kind and he completely forgot what
have happened in the past.
when mumani bi was not interested to talk
with kallu when in came all of a sudden to
meet their family.
He was so gentle and he started talking to
mumani bi and by time passes she became
fine and everything was normal.
So bottom of line is that kallu knows how to
be a gentle person and he respected his
elders and he never forgets who he is.
Characteristic of chacha
mian
He is a relation to the family, uncle for the
girls and he had the responsibility of finding
a bridegroom for the girls.
He tried a lot around the city and finally he
got a “kallu” – deputy collector and a past
servant of their family.
He was took interested in him and he
wants him to marry their gilrl.
Character sketch of Mumani Jan
Mumani Jan’s character shows variation
throughout the story. At times she is
imposing, at times she is generous. So one
can conclude that she has a confused
Personality.
As a child Kallu was bitten very badly by
Mumani Jan just to ask Salima for
marriage. This shows the imposing side of
her.
After years when Kallu came back as Kalim
Saheb she refused the marriage proposal
given to Salima without explaining any sort
of reason. This shows that she was confused
and reluctant.
At the end she realizes her short comings
towards Kallu as a child and approves for
marriage. This explains that somewhere she
was generous and kind.
Character sketch of Kallu’s
amma
Kallu’s amma was exquisite and elegant
just like every amma in the world. She has
very strong character. She worked
immensely hard in order to raise Kallu.
When Kallu was small she sent him to
Mamuni Jan in order for his betterment,
as she understood with such a small
income she cannot raise her child well.
This shows her understanding and
sacrificing nature.
She visited Kallu every week to see him. This shows
she was a loving and caring mother.
After Kallu was sent off by Mumani Jan from her
home she worked very hard, sewed clothes washed
dishes of people so as to raise Kallu to heights. This
shows her determined nature which finally bore fruits
when Kallu became The Deputy Collector.
Character sketch of Kallu’s
amma
Kallu’s amma was exquisite and elegant just
like every amma in the world. She has very
strong character. She worked immensely
hard in order to raise Kallu.
When Kallu was working small she sent him
to Mamuni Jan in order of his betterment, as
she understood with such a small income
she cannot raise her child well. This shows
her understanding and sacrificing nature.
She visited Kallu every week to see him. This
shows she was a loving and caring mother.
After Kallu was sent off by Mumani Jan from
her home she worked very hard, sewed
clothes washed dishes of people so as to
raise Kallu to heights. This shows her
determined nature which finally bore fruits
when Kallu became The Deputy Collector.
SUMMARY
The story revolves around the life of Kalimuddin
aka Kallu. He is not even seven but still he does
work more than a 20 year old man.
Starting his day with boiling water for the
morning tea and making innumerable trips to
kitchen and dinning table giving the cook all
the ingredients for the breakfast.
His next task involved taking care of small
errands of the house from washing Nanhi’s
diaper till Abu’s cigarette.
His mother had entrusted the narrator’s
family to care of Kallu. She visited him on
Teej festival and bought him molasses and
fried corn.
As Maliha bi’s wedding was approaching,
Amma asked Kallu whom he would marry
in jest, and Kallu whispered Salima bi’s
name. And on another day Mumani heard
Kallu asking Salima to marry him; to her
surprise she said ‘yes’.
Mumani thrashed Kallu and his nose started
bleeding. Kallu’s mother saw this and took
him away.
After many years, a particular Mr. Din comes
to the city as Deputy Collector and this
person is none other than Kallu himself.
He asks for Salima bi’s hand. Mumani refuses
to let Salima marry him despite Chacha
jan’s repeated requests.
Kallu visits his childhood house and recalls
every funny incident of his time spent
there with them.
He gives a surprise visit and talks to
Mumani bi and asks for Salima’s hand to
which Mumani again refuses as he calls
him Dulhan bi.
To this Kalim says “Amma bi…..” in a
tearful voice and Mumani’s eyes filled wit
tears.
Significance of the story
Love- The first and the most important thing that the
story tells is love, love which amma had for Kallu. Love,
which drives her to do any sort of hardship for her child.
She sewed clothes, washed utensils in order to raise
Kallu to the sky. Love, which Kallu had for Salima bi. It
enabled him to be attached with the family in which he
was deeply insulted. After becoming the Deputy
Collector also he married the girl he choosed as a child.
Hard work- This story also symbolizes the hard
word done both by Kallu and his mother to
achieve things which are beyond expected.
From working in a house as a servant to
becoming a Deputy collector Kallu shows the
dedication and hard work to achieve the place
he is in.
Sacrifice- The story also enchants the sacrifice
done by Kallu’s mother. First she left her in
Mamuni Jan’s place for the betterment of Kallu.
When Kallu was sent off by Mamuni Jan she did
everything she could do to see her child grow.
