HUM KALAM | Episode 15: Doppelgänger Diaries – Freud, Manto & Ashfaq Ahmed

In this episode of Hum Kalam, host Syed Ahfadul Mujtaba delves into the concept of “Humzaad” (doppelgänger) from a digital perspective. The discussion explores how this phenomenon intersects with the psychological theories of Sigmund Freud and the literary works of Ashfaq Ahmed and Saadat Hasan Manto. Freud’s exploration of the uncanny, particularly the notion of the doppelgänger, provides a framework for understanding how digital avatars and online personas reflect our inner selves and fears. This psychological lens is juxtaposed with the nuanced portrayals of duality and human nature in the writings of Ashfaq Ahmed and Saadat Hasan Manto. Ahmed’s contemplative narratives and Manto’s stark, realistic depictions offer rich insights into the human condition, making their works relevant in the context of today’s digital identities. Fyodor Dostoevsky work on psycho analysis in his novels particularly double is remarkable.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that bridges classic literature and contemporary digital life, unraveling the complexities of identity and self-perception in the modern world. For a more detailed exploration, check out the episode on the Ahfad Talk YouTube channel.