PARTITION: PLIGHT, TRAUMA AND CULTURAL DETERIORATION OF PUNJABI WOMEN IN THE WORKS OF AMRITA PRITAM, AJEET COUR AND KARTAR SINGH DUGGAL

Author Name: Miss Jasmeen Kaur

Volume/Issue: 01/12

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: http://www.doi-ds.org/doilink/05.2021-29251826/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Sharda University, Greater Noida, U.P

ABSTRACT

The research explores the condition of women, culture of Punjab, colonial and post colonial aspects in the context of partition. The themes of gender discrimination, separation, communal riots, cultural deterioration, double marginalization, identity crises and function of power related to partition are studied theoretically. The writers from Punjab had closely experienced the partition and successfully gave the words to the suppression of women. The concept of rehabilitation of women is well portrayed in the work of Kartar Singh Duggal’s Abducted Not According to him the process of rehabilitation of women was no less than a trauma for them. It is seen as partition within the partition. Amrita Pritam’s Pinjar demonstrates the role of religion in the partition that largely impacted the psychological and sexual condition of women. The character of Puroo faced the cultural crises being the daughter of Hindu and wife of Muslim. Ajeet Cour’s work Weaving Water represents the typical society of Punjab ruled by the patriarchal norms where the status of women is culturally deteriorated. The research analyzes the social and cultural role of women in Punjab because after the partition the values, beliefs and the way of life and ordinary habits that build the culture were completely shattered. The word ‘culture’ lacks the critical approach in defining the cultural deterioration and disturbances within the boundaries.

Key words: partition, culture, trauma, women, gender.