Sabirahs' Transformation
One interesting thing about basti is the way Intezaar Hussein has involved gender in it and through a gendered lens, he exposes the realities of partition and the consequences that come along. A very central figure that exemplifies this condition is sabirah. At the start of the novel we see sabirah as a very shy and under-confident girl who feels emotionally touched on the smallest of issues. Her earlier interaction with Zakir when she is at his place to visit her Khala shows her as someone who is confused who keeps questioning Zakir about his 'Delhi ' experience or about literary works that she has not been able to read. Especially when she is hitting puberty, she is always trying to cover her breasts with her 'chadar'. Intezaar Hussain writes on pg 69.
"Sabrah ab kitni lambi ho gayee thee aur seena uska kitna ubhar aya tha kay ab ussay woh hamesha dupattau say dhampay rakhti thi.Par woh gol gol gubaar phir bhi chalaktay rehtay. Batain in mai apas mai kabhi, kabhi zor zor say tau kabhi holay holay. Itnay holay kay kay iski awaz sargoshi ban jati aur sabrah ka munh sharam say laal ho jata"
However, it is the experience of distancing from her loved ones which in itself is a prime characteristic of partition or exile that impacts Sabrah strongly. In later chapters the grown-up and independent sabrah is described in the following words,
"Gehwaan rang, patlay patlay naksh, churera badan, darmiyana kadd, tor tareeqay seedhay sachay, hamesha safed sooti sarhi mai nazar aati, Seedhi maang nikaal kar chotiya baandhi thi, phir bhi kabhi kabhi aik lit iskay munh par pari dikhaee deti thi" (137)
We see her a new Sabrah who has been changed by the events in her life. Out of these events, a important event is her independent decision to stay back and not go with her family to pursue a career of an announcer. Also, Zakirs continuous failure to approach her or for that matter to post that letter adds more sense to this ambitious, focused and stronger Sabrah who defies all conventions. Her prioritization of work over eid, keeping a safe distance from the stranger survinder singh , attire of a widowed hindu women pitted against covering her head as a unmarried muslim girl all symbolize the failure of patriarchy as well. Sabra took matters in her own hand and this entry of women into the market setting reflects upon the failure of patriarchy which is of prime importance to the muslim nationhood and it's so called product - Pakistan. She doesn't feel the need to cover herself anymore neither does she confine herself to the boundaries of her home.
One interesting thing about basti is the way Intezaar Hussein has involved gender in it and through a gendered lens, he exposes the realities of partition and the consequences that come along. A very central figure that exemplifies this condition is sabirah. At the start of the novel we see sabirah as a very shy and under-confident girl who feels emotionally touched on the smallest of issues. Her earlier interaction with Zakir when she is at his place to visit her Khala shows her as someone who is confused who keeps questioning Zakir about his 'Delhi ' experience or about literary works that she has not been able to read. Especially when she is hitting puberty, she is always trying to cover her breasts with her 'chadar'. Intezaar Hussain writes on pg 69.
"Sabrah ab kitni lambi ho gayee thee aur seena uska kitna ubhar aya tha kay ab ussay woh hamesha dupattau say dhampay rakhti thi.Par woh gol gol gubaar phir bhi chalaktay rehtay. Batain in mai apas mai kabhi, kabhi zor zor say tau kabhi holay holay. Itnay holay kay kay iski awaz sargoshi ban jati aur sabrah ka munh sharam say laal ho jata"
However, it is the experience of distancing from her loved ones which in itself is a prime characteristic of partition or exile that impacts Sabrah strongly. In later chapters the grown-up and independent sabrah is described in the following words,
"Gehwaan rang, patlay patlay naksh, churera badan, darmiyana kadd, tor tareeqay seedhay sachay, hamesha safed sooti sarhi mai nazar aati, Seedhi maang nikaal kar chotiya baandhi thi, phir bhi kabhi kabhi aik lit iskay munh par pari dikhaee deti thi" (137)
We see her a new Sabrah who has been changed by the events in her life. Out of these events, a important event is her independent decision to stay back and not go with her family to pursue a career of an announcer. Also, Zakirs continuous failure to approach her or for that matter to post that letter adds more sense to this ambitious, focused and stronger Sabrah who defies all conventions. Her prioritization of work over eid, keeping a safe distance from the stranger survinder singh , attire of a widowed hindu women pitted against covering her head as a unmarried muslim girl all symbolize the failure of patriarchy as well. Sabra took matters in her own hand and this entry of women into the market setting reflects upon the failure of patriarchy which is of prime importance to the muslim nationhood and it's so called product - Pakistan. She doesn't feel the need to cover herself anymore neither does she confine herself to the boundaries of her home.
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