21st Century Urdu Novel: Feminist Narrative

Abstract

Feminism or to put it another way, feminine sensibility is also being written in the novels of this century. Today's Indian woman has become quite conscious, she has come out of the male-dominated system, is fighting with all her might against exploitation, is playing her leadership role at the social and national level and is busy in every effort to assert her existence. The woman seen in today's Urdu novel is not one who follows the dictates of men, plays the role of a lover or is too bold to simply ask questions, but is far beyond that, a woman with authority and self-determination who is fully aware of her importance and her rights. This is beautifully expressed in Sarwat Khan's novel “Andhirapug” and Shaista Fakhri's novel “Nadidha Baharon Ke Nishan”. Written against the backdrop of Rajasthan's male-dominated society, Sarwat Khan's novel is essentially a declaration of feminine rebellion against the sexual and mental subjugation of women for centuries. In Shaista Fakhri's novel, the protagonist Aliza ends the compassionate exploitation of women in an educated, wealthy, and civilized society and declares her decision-making and independence. Shaista Fakhri's novel is excellent in terms of language, expression, and artistic treatment. In general, in the narrative of such a subject, a kind of extremism, emotional fervor, and contempt for men are presented as key references, but Shaista Fakhri has transformed them with great skill into decency, seriousness, and the dignity of women.

Keywords:  Feminism, 21st Century, Sarwat Khan,“Andhirapug”, Shaista Fakhri,“Nadidha Baharon Ke Nishan”