A young voice from South Kashmir is making a bold entry into the literary world. Arizoo Riyaz, a published author from Anantnag, has recently released her first collection of short stories titled Nafas-e-Qalam, a book that seeks to challenge social norms and provoke critical thinking.
Arizoo Riyaz completed her studies at Aligarh Muslim University, an institution widely known for nurturing influential writers and intellectuals. The university has historically been associated with literary figures such as Ismat Chughtai and Saadat Hasan Manto, whose works were known for confronting social hypocrisy and controversial themes.
Speaking about her writing journey, Arizoo Riyaz said literature for her is not merely a creative pursuit but a necessity. “Writing is not my hobby. It is survival. If I do not write, I would die,” Arizoo Riyaz said, emphasizing the intensity of her connection with storytelling.
The newly published book Nafas-e-Qalam by Arizoo Riyaz is a collection of afsaane (short stories) that explores themes of societal hypocrisy, selective morality, and cultural contradictions. According to Arizoo Riyaz, the stories aim to question long-accepted norms and highlight uncomfortable truths often ignored in everyday life.
Arizoo Riyaz believes literature should go beyond entertainment. “Literature should disturb the comfortable, provoke the numb, and challenge the powerful,” Arizoo Riyaz stated, adding that discomfort caused by her words indicates that the message has reached its audience.
With the release of Nafas-e-Qalam, Arizoo Riyaz from Anantnag joins a long tradition of writers who use literature as a tool to reflect, question, and confront society.