Partition as a Drama of Human Pain and
Suffering: A Study of Attia Hosain’s Sunlight on
a Broken Column
Sahadev
Roy
State
Aided College Teacher
Department
of English
Dewanhat
Mahavidyalaya
Cooch
Behar, West Bengal, India
&
Ph.
D. Research Scholar
Department
of English
O.P.J.S.
University
Churu,
Rajasthan, India
Abstract:
The principal object of the present study is entitled;
Partition: A saga of pain in the Indian English novel.” A study is undertaken
to study it critically. The attainment of Indian freedom was followed by the
tragic drama of partition. It was the darkest event in the history of India,
which shook the whole nation into disgust and hatred. Partition and its impact
are realistically reflected in literature. In Indian English fiction many
writers portrayed the politics and partition butchery. An attempt has been made
to signify a novel of Attia Hosain’s Sunlight on a Broken Column. This paper
explores the characters’ various perspectives on the partition which leads to
the writer’s representation of freedom and individuality. In addition, the
study of this novel brings out different critics. A critical study is
undertaken to seek and discover the several complexities, the effect of
partition on the creative psyche, and layers of meaning in Partition: A saga of
pain in an Indian English novel during independence.
Keywords:
Partition, Politics, Pain, Postcolonialism, Indian English Novel
The majority of the new colonies were attempting to build
their nationhood and the postcolonialist genre while the British Empire was
disintegrating and heading towards its demise. One nation, however, was going
through a dual process of forming and breaking. India answered. India and
Pakistan's history began with the split in 1947. This partition eventually
becomes a part of the genre of postcolonial literature. Several works regarding
partition are there which present the trauma of two nations, India and
Pakistan. The time before the partition was the time when Hindus and Muslims
were the only Indians. There were no conflicts; they lived together in one
country. But the decline of the British Empire brought a historical event,
which was Partition. The demise of the British Empire sparked a completely
distinct phenomenon that changed the entire topography of this region of the
world. Numerous violent riots, protests, and family divisions result from
India's division into Pakistan and India, two independent countries. The
present study is undertaken to critically study it. Partition was the darkest
event in the history of India, which tortured a whole nation into disgust and
hatred. In Indian English fiction, many writers presented politics and
partition butchery. It concentrates on the partition and other painful events.
This study is an attempt to signify the novel of Attaia Hosain’s Sunlight on
a Broken Column. The study of this novel brings out different critics to
seek and discover the several complexities, and effects of partition during
independence.
As a post-colonial Indian writer, Attia
Hosain has written about India's social, cultural, and political changes in Sunlight
on a Broken Column (1961). Hosain presents the colonial world as a
perfectly framed picture, belonging to the past, which can be revived through
nostalgia. The women's characters are portrayed against the backdrop of Muslim
feudal culture, and the sunlight on a shattered column depicts the period of
political unrest. The novel begins in the 1930s, Lucknow when the narrator heroine
Laila is fifteen. The novel contains four parts and in each part, Laila
narrates her story, a story of pain, time, and memories. The story is both a
post-independence bildungsroman and a retrospective account of India
during the 1930s and 40s. Laila observes and experiences the effect of the
conflict between contact culture and indigenous culture on the women around
her. Laila differs from the other female family members because she observes
the patriarchal structure of the household (Ashiana). Her education and her
book world make her a different personality who observes things and compares
them with the situation. In Sunlight on a Broken Column, colonialism,
feudalism, and Islam are bound together.
Hosain presents a time when the political
disturbance was at its peak. This novel sets in the 1930s, pre-independence, it
shows the memory of sorrow and nostalgia through the protagonist Laila. An
orphaned girl who lives in Ashiana with her family. Hosain presents her
characters in a very lively manner her characters are individualized yet
universal. Hosain conveys the personal and political turmoil that marked the
partition of India through the coincidental dissolution of the Muslim
landholding and feudal lifestyle. She talks about religion which leads to the
problem of communal riots. Pre-independence was the time when everyone was
fighting for individuation and identity. Hosain presents PAIN through Laila and
with other characters. Attia Hosain's Sunlight
on a Broken Column is introduced by Anita Desai, who calls the book a
tribute to the past.
This disruption is most appropriate as
Hosain’s novel takes us into the fascinating world of the landowning class of
the taluqdars in colonial India. She talks about nation and nationality. She
described the social class and taluqdars of Oudh, before the British and how
they brought a change in the society. After their arrival suppression and
problems started. On one side, the younger generation trying hard to get
freedom for the country, and on the other side, the elders show authority in
the old joint family that has traditionally dominated Indian life.
In view of Ronald Morton: this book, in great
part, is about boundaries (specifically those in pre-partition India)
boundaries between children and their elders; boundaries between Hindus and
Muslims; boundaries between Indians and the British; boundaries between rich
and poor, and intertwined into these boundaries, the overarching boundaries
between men and women. (Ronald Morton 2016)
Sunlight on a Broken Column can be seen in boundaries according to Morton. Laila’s
own life and her elders' life are different. She lives in an upper-class Muslim
family where purdah (veil) is important for women. This tradition of Islam
creates boundaries between men and women but religion cannot be questioned
according to elders. Laila's education (which should not be given to girls in
some orthodox) and her free thinking make her an introvert she realizes how
women were marginalized around her in the same house but no one can raise her
voice against patriarchy because it was the rule, the male dominance.
According to Jasbir Jain, “Ashiana in Sunlight on a Broken Column serves as a
microcosm of the world at large with not only its womenfolk in purdah but its
retinue of servants who represent the community at large. The novel opens with
a description of the home's cramped atmosphere; Baba Jan, my grandfather, had
been ill for three months and the sick air, seeping and spreading through the
straggling house, weighed each day more oppressively on those
who lived in it.” (Hosain 14) Hosain offers many
arguments for and against the nation's approaching vivisection. Saleem and Aunt
Saira stand for opposing views on the partition or Pakistan's demands. While
defending his ties to the Muslim League, Saleem says the following: “I believe
the Congress has a strong anti-Muslim element in it against which the Muslims
must organize. The danger is great because it is hidden, like an iceberg. When
it was just a question of fighting the British the progressive forces were
uppermost; but now that power is to be acquired, now the submerged reactionary
elements will surface. Muslims must unite against them.” (Hosain 233) He goes
on: “The majority of Hindus have not forgotten or forgiven the Muslims for having
ruled over them for hundreds of years. Now they can democratically take
revenge. The British have ruled about two hundred years, and see how much they
are hated.” (Hosain 234) To which Aunt Saira adds: “Oh dear, there is no
question, it would be better to have the British stay on than the Hindus
ruling.” (Hosain 234)
Saleem and Aunt Saira's opinions aligned with
those of the vast majority of Muslims who chose Pakistan. Saleem is depicted by
Hosain as a young lad who fears for both his freedom and his religion. He wants
to create a new Muslim-only neighborhood. It demonstrates that the suspicions
of Muslims were not unfounded. On the other hand, figures like uncle Hamid and
Kemal have their views for a distinct state. They had well-reasoned reasons in
support of their demand for Pakistan. As for Kemal: “This is my country. I
belong to it. I love it. That is all. One does not bargain…” (Hosain 287)
Kemal wants to be in India, his born place.
Where his ancestors and family had been living. A virtual division emerges in
Laila's own home as a result of their different decisions. In great detail, the
story depicts the traditional way of life of Muslims in India. The folks it
described were firmly anchored in the ground. There was a lot of political
unrest at the time. Processions and parades started to appear often in the
streets of Lucknow. Muslims came out on the streets and demanded freedom in the
name of genuine nationalism. The processions for freedom were dangerous to the
aged ladies, who were worried about the safety of their dear ones. Aunt Majida
lamented the activities of young ones and wailed: “What has happened to young
people nowadays? Why must they go looking for trouble?” (Hosain 162) Hakiman
bua described the rationale behind the hectic activities: “They have cats tied
to their feet, they cannot sit still.” (Hosain 162)
When religion entered politics, everything
became problematic. Hosain recognizes the divide-and-conquer strategy used by
the British in these terrible events. When Asad discusses the British
encouraging and aiding the sectarian and deadly riots with Zahid in the opening
section of the book, Asad makes this point extremely vividly. Zahid believed
that Sunnis were cursed by the Shias. Asad said without hesitation: “He has
learned the lesson the English teach us. Hate each other – love us.” (Hosain
56)
Asad made it explicitly clear that the
British wanted division. Hosain demonstrates how the British contributed to the
division of the Indians. However, they were not the only ones to blame. It was
the influence of religion that entered politics and everything became worst.
People's beliefs were in danger they lost their peace and humanity. Envy, rage,
hatred, and the desire to harm the other community were the prevalent emotions
as the environment got tense and bustled with heated disputes. Communal riots
were started, and traditional Lucknow was completely lost. Laila worries about
family: “No one seemed to talk any more; everyone argued, and not in the
graceful tradition of our city where conversation was treated as a fine art,
words were loved as mediums of artistic expression, and verbal battles were
enjoyed as much as any delicate, scintillating, sparkling display of
pyrotechnic skill. It was as if someone had sneaked in live ammunition among
the fireworks. In the thrust and parry there was a desire to inflict wounds.”
(Hosain 230)
Hosain presents tension among the family
members because of different views on partition/freedom. Uncle Hamid and his
son Saleem got into a furious debate about politics after they entered the
affluent home. They were placed in opposing groups. Uncle Hamid scoffed at the
Muslim League and stated to Saleem: “This Muslim league in which you are so
interested, I have heard it called communal and reactionary by nationalist
Muslims. Certainly most of its leaders—and many are my friends—are of the kind
you would call ‘reactionary’, according to your political theories.” (Hosain
233) Saleem responded aggressively and said that there were anti-Muslim
factions in congress. The father and son's quarrel resulted in a rage outburst.
Everything was happening and the reason was separation, freedom, and politics.
Elections were there and parties wanted the power. These terrible events were
taking place and families were breaking, the separation or say the fear of
detachment was very horrifying.
Laila experiences all the fears, unhappiness,
and marginalization throughout her childhood to adulthood. A Muslim family,
upper-class society, political upheavals, bloody riots, and most important
culture and tradition. Laila's views are different from other female members of
the house. In contrast, Zahra has grown up internalizing the expectations of
being a loving wife and an unmarried girl. Uncle Mohsin praises her upbringing
and schooling as being wise and correct. She is equipped to carry out the
patriarchal obligations placed upon women by her education and upbringing. “She
has read the Quaran, she knows her religious duties; she can sew and cook, and
at the Muslim school she learned a little English, which is what young men want
now.” (Hosain 24)
Sita, on the other hand, loves Kemal but
views their relationship as a private matter as opposed to their marriage
because of their differing religious backgrounds. She supports arranged
marriages because, in her opinion, her parents are the best arbiters of a man's
suitability as a husband. As stated by Sita: “What has love to do with
marriage? It is like mixing oil and water. Love is anti-social, while matrimony
preserves the world and its respectability.” (Hosain 296) Against Sita's views
on marriage and love, Laila's marriage to Ameer supports the idea that a woman
should be able to wed the man she chooses, but doing so comes with a high price
and her family's displeasure. Her marriage to Ameer presents her free thinking
and ability to choose and decide. She flouts the norms of the patriarchal
setup. Laila shows the idea of love and innocence: “The word ‘love’ was like a
bomb thrown at them.” (Hosain 134) The fourth half of the story illustrates how
the division of the country affected a family of four who was living in a
nest-like home in Lucknow far from Saleem and Nadira, who chose to move to
Pakistan, while Kemal chose to remain in India. Evidently, the split had a
significant negative impact on people's life. In this part of the book, Hosain
depicts Laila's yearning for the past. Laila travels to Ashiana, the location
of many memorable moments. As she clarified: “My most private emotions were
contained by this house, as much a part of its structure as its every brick and
beam. Its memories condensed my life as in a summary.” (Hosain 272) Laila finds
strangeness in the house where she lived, spent a good time, and made good
memories. But everything changed when strangers began to be classified as
refugees; her relative Saleem, who chose Pakistan, was suddenly referred to as
an evacuee. Her memory takes her to the past. She touches the things of the
house which were not alive as there were fourteen years ago. The novelist was
completely engrossed in the upheavals that the partition brought about Zahid’s
death, violence, and death of loved ones. All these memories bring tears to
Laila's eyes.
A Muslim interpretation of division is
presented by Attia Hosain in Sunlight on
a Broken Column. She continues the narrative with notable incidents and
demonstrates that joining the national movements for freedom has little to do
with one's community; rather, it was the introduction of religion into politics
that poisoned the minds of millions. The narrator heroine Laila, who recounts
the horror of division via her memories, gives the book a feminine perspective.
It's one of the rare novels on the partition that manages to convey the trauma
of the separation with tremendous understanding while still being well-written.
Through her book, Hosain strongly urges readers to reject hatred and violence
in favor of the ideology of love and nonviolence. We can see this in Laila's
life and through her nostalgic memories, where Laila faces each problem strongly.
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