Book excerpt: This book explores a critical history of the Progressive Writers' Movement (PWM) in India, particularly in the context of Urdu literature. It traces gradual emergence of political and social consciousness from the mid-nineteenth century, as reflected in Urdu literature of this period and brings to light the writers associated with it-from Faiz Ahmad Faiz to Ali Sardar Jafri. Affording rare insights into the role played by the Progressive Writers' Association (PWA)-and, from 1943 onwards, its partner organization, the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA)-the work critically analyses these twin forces' influence on literature and, by extension, on all forms of art and popular culture-radio and films.