Unveiling Identity and Sexuality: Analyzing Sexual Violence, Trauma, and Alienation in Amrita Pritam's Pinjar as a Lens on the Partition of India

Authors

  • Yogini Kelaiya

Keywords:

Partition, Sexual, Violence, Women, Trauma, Alienation, Self

Abstract

A notable name in the field of partition literature, Amrita Pritam is well known for her insightful writings that capture the spirit of India's turbulent division. She expertly portrays the live history of this historic event in her creative works, giving readers a clear picture of the terrifying ordeals that its victims went through. One of her best-known novels, Pinjar (The Skeleton), was first published in Punjabi in 1950 and was later translated into English by Khushwant Singh. It is a moving account of the difficulties encountered by women during India's division. Through the lens of Pinjar Amrita Pritam sheds light on important aspects of women's identity and sexuality against the backdrop of the division. This essay aims to investigate this. This dissertation undertakes a comprehensive examination of the writer's creative depiction of sexual assault against women, the subsequent pain they faced, and the deep sense of alienation they felt as a result of the division. The study analyzes the many difficulties that women encountered during this turbulent time by using the story of Pinjar as a potent lens. This research aims to provide insight on the significant effects of division on women's life by analyzing Pritam's nuanced description of sexual abuse, the psychological scars it left behind, and the fragmentation of identity. The study dissects the intricacies of women's experiences by thoroughly examining Pritam's literary skill, emphasizing the women's tenacity, autonomy, and fight to regain their identity in the midst of the turmoil of division. Additionally, it looks at how the division influenced how society norms and personal identities were shaped, especially in relation to women's autonomy and sexuality. This research paper emphasizes the historical and literary value of Amrita Pritam's Pinjar as well as the author's remarkable ability to capture the long-lasting effects of the trauma, sexual violence, and alienation that women in India endured during the partition. By exploring these important topics, the article advances knowledge of the sociocultural, psychological, and permanent effects of this significant juncture in the history of the country on women's lives.

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Additional Files

Published

10-04-2023

How to Cite

Yogini Kelaiya. (2023). Unveiling Identity and Sexuality: Analyzing Sexual Violence, Trauma, and Alienation in Amrita Pritam’s Pinjar as a Lens on the Partition of India. Vidhyayana - An International Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed E-Journal - ISSN 2454-8596, 8(5). Retrieved from http://j.vidhyayanaejournal.org/index.php/journal/article/view/1076