Representation of Partition of India in Sunlight on a Broken Column, Ice-Candy Man, and 1947 Earth

Partition of India, which is al almost overlooked in traditional historiography with Indias Indep determinationence and Birth of Pakistan, conduct to wizard of the largest and bloodiest migrations in the history of the world. Sunlight on a Broken Column, Ice-Candy earth and 1947 Earth are all set in the selfsame(prenominal) season span and portray Partition in quite different ways. Different as in non still different from each separate, but in addition different, more significantly, from the way it is portrayed in traditional historiography. Traditional historiography merely gives facts and figures with step forward examining all its social, political, economical, cultural and psychological effects.Also, it is largely governed by national biases and hence, tends to sweeps under the spread over anything that projects a negative image of the nation or raises a finger at its pet ideologies. Hence, it not only fails to give a true encounter but is also, incapable of examining why? or linking the past with the present as in bringing out the relevance of it as of now. The above three textbooks, to a lesser or greater extent do precisely that, as in question the traditional historiography. And, I think thats where their merits lie.Sunlight on a Broken Column which focuses chiefly on how it was an era of changes and change whether it be for hot or for pretty cannot occur without pain examines the causes of partition most effectively. Not only was it the end of colonial rule, resulting into a great power struggle between Hindus and Muslims (with Muslims having ruled over India for centuries before British and the Hindu dominated sexual congress gaining power after them) but, it also marked the end of feudalism which is very significant as in it brings to light the power struggle that occurred amongst Hindus and Muslims themselves.A conjunction based on class (feudal lords) was being replaced to that governed by caste (Congress, Muslim league). That is , change or reversal of Power roles occurred not just at a political level between Hindus and Muslims or British and Indians (as in colonial India) but, also at a social level amongst the Hindus as well as amongst the Muslims themselves. To quote from the text For times had changed sadly since the integration of the Princely States, and Their Highnesses were left with itles, no states, reduced in executes and unchanged habits and tastes, To play polo, entertain, race, drink, flirt or fornicate with the square-toed air of aristocratic nonchalance needed co-operation between those who had the means and those who had the titles. Also, psychologically, it brings out the conflict between modernity and tradition as in the Laila, I mat up I lived in two worlds an observer in an outside world, and solitary in my let.Because on one exceed was the very strong preach to cling to all that was Indian as in not imported or forced on by the British while, on the other hand was the need and d esire to break free from the old, rotten customs. Or in other words, an individuals cultural identity was being questioned. Which, on summing up gives a very different cause of the riots and the massacre, as in it was A resistance to change that changed everything.That is, contrary to what we would like to believe, British might be one of the several reasons but, they are certainly not the only ones to blame. The causes were valetifold and lay very much within India. Divide and rule policy of British was not the only reason. This fact is also brought out through Saleems character in the text. Saleem believed and blamed the divide and rule policy of British initially but, ulterior his opinions changed he blamed the Congress leaders (very much Indian ) instead and himself become a supporter of the Muslim League.Partition did not occur all of a sudden but, it was a gradual process that occurred at all levels, most importantly, inside the minds of people Talking about the implications , it happens to be the only text among the all three which talks of breaking up of families (or partition within them) due to the geographical partition of India. It also brings out the economical implication as in loss of property due to evacuee property being allotted to refugees by having to not only move out of the old zenana but, also swap it and the bitterness caused in Aunt Siara because of it.Besides, by writing about the partition chiefly in the last section as a retrospect which has a very strong signified of nostalgia running through it she emphasizes the fact that the past wont ever return but, wont ever be forgotten as its effects are everlasting and especially for those who suffered in partition (loss of near and dear ones etc) tomorrows give always be yesterdays. But, on the negative side it is very much a Pro India, Pro Gandhi novel, a very very strongly biased text. For eg, it kind of patronizes the Muslims who stayed in India while, art those who left traitors. Also, the novel manipulates the readers sympathies towards the characters very effectively which in turn are linked to the ideologies they stand for. For eg, in the arguments between Kemal and Saleem one tends to clearly sympathize with Kemal, same with Laila vs Zahra and also, Laila vs Nadeera (towards the end). And, most importantly, Asad who is portrayed as someone to be looked up to and respected stands for the Gandhian ideology. The novel ends with a kind of moral preaching by Asad, and Laila, a confused person who follows no particular ideology accepting him and embracing his ideology.Towards the end, there is the sense that the Gandhian Ideology wins. Perhaps coz shes assay to imply that now its the only possible solution to the problem left. But, most importantly of all, the abduction of women is very marginally recognitioned and womens recuperation camp is only indirectly hinted to in an otherwise feminist text. Though, she does question patriarchal power system by the c haracter of Sita. Unlike the Ramayanas Sita, this Sita stays by her own personal choice with Ravana and questions Rams ideology by saying, I think it is the sense of possession in a man that is hurt, not his sense of morality.But, its quite indirect not an obvious link. On the whole, through Sunlight on a Broken Column, Attia Hosain presents a more or less complete picture of Partition and fills up a lot many gaps in traditional historiography and though indirectly, questions almost all of its basic assumptions. Ice-Candy humanity chiefly focuses on the basic animal instincts in men which are brought out effectively by the character of the Ice-Candy while itself. He doesnt come across as a positive character yet, Lenny likes him Even after he abducts ayah and ill treats her, Lenny sympathizes with him.She says she can see him as Godmother sees him treacherous, dangerous. but, yet she considers him guileless With the novel written in first person and the fact we see everything fro m Lennys perspective, this is significant. That is, we identify with Lenny who in turn identifies with ice-candy man (a royal bastard ) whom we dislike A wonderful irony on human nature And, this perhaps can be seen as one possible reason for partition. Also, the novel is repulsively biased against politicians. Sidhwa lashes out on politicians especially Indians though there is an indirect sarcasm at Pakistanis as well.And, Ice-Candy Man is a kind of politician or rather the bridge between the common man and frozen, calculating, icy politicians. Its portrayal of the scummy of women and abducted womens recovery camp in its full complexities unlike the other texts, is quite meritious. Ayah is abducted and converted into a prostitute the women in Ranoos village are tortured like hell so, much that they prefer death to it. Hamida, is recover but, her family refuses to accept her. Lenny just cant bring herself to terms with it Hamida was kidnapped by the Sikhs, says Godmother seriou sly.On serious matters I can always trust her to level with me. She was interpreted away to Amritsar. Once that happens, sometimes, the husband-or his family-wont take her back. Why? It isnt her fault she was kidnapped Some folk feel that way-they cant stand their women being touched(p) by other men. Its monstrously unfair but Godmothers tone is accepting. I think of what Himat-Ali -alias- Hari once told me when I reached to lift a minute sparrow that had tumbled from its nest on our veranda. Let it be, hed stopped me. the mother will take care of it. If our hands touch it, the other sparrows will peck it to death. Even the mother? I asked. Even the mother hed said. It doesnt make sense but if thats how it is. It is. But, though it stresses on womens suffering, it doesnt quite question the patriarchal notions of power and treatment of women as passive victims. No where does it question the use of womens identities and bodies as symbols of community remark and tradition tha t makes them tar vexs of violence during sectarian conflicts.It elaborates equally well on the womens recovery operation and even accepts that it cant wipe out the past or truly recover them, but doesnt quite question the purpose of it all. This is probably, because the only female character that emerges very strong is Godmothers but, the power and potentiality that she exercises is very patriarchal in nature. Lennys mother is portrayed as a very feminine character but, she cannot save Ayah from Ice-Candy Man. Though towards the end she says, institutionalize me the (mystic) wine that burns all veils, The wine by which lifes secret is revealed.The wine whose essence is eternity. The wine which opens mysteries concealed. Lift up the curtain, give me power to talk. And make the sparrow struggle with the hawk. Iqbal The sparrow or the women has to struggle with the hawk or the men in order to survive Apart from these, she highlights how religion had modify (or probably still is) fr om being a faith or a belief to a weapon. One mans religion is another mans poison. Also, unlike the other two texts, this isnt staged in one country only, though indirectly (through Ranoo) but, it does go to India.Also, there is an indirect mention of Bengal as in Gandhis fasting stops riots from reaching Bihar (though Sunlight on a Broken Column too deals with partition at the Bengal butt and that too more directly). Besides, at a domestic level, it shows breaking up of families due to death of some members in riots, as in Ranoos family. socially and culturally it well portrays division of people into Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and hence, the colours in the park are gone. As for biases, it is clearly a Pro Parsee, Pro Pakistani novel.Parsees emerge miraculously unaffected by everything on the contrary they are the ones who at times set things right. Lennys mother and aunt help their neighbors get petrol, Godmother manages to get Ayah released from the captive of Ice-Candy Man within a fortnight, which had it not been for her would have been consigned to the ingenious bureaucratic eternity of a toddler nation greenly hurly burly its flag with a white strip to represent its minorities. And, though Sidhwa makes a desperate attempt to sit over the fence it collapses in the dinner put back scene n epigraph when she blames the British.And, it is very much governed by Political Biases. It is clearly pro Jinnah, and lashes out on Gandhi without quite justifying. On the whole, it brings out the power dynamics and links it well to the basic human tendencies. 1947 Earth focuses on the loss of innocence through the transformation of Dilnavaaz from a common man to a sadistic, cold blooded criminal. It too highlights the basic animal instincts in men. Dilnavaaz says, Santabibi, yeh sirf Hindu aur Musalman ki baat nahi hai. Yeh to kuch hum sab he andar hai. Hindu, Musalman, Sikh hum sab haramzadey hain. Sab janwar.Chidyaghar ke us sher ki tarah jissey Lenny baby itna darti h ain. Kaisey pada rehta hai is intazar of import. ke pinjra khuley aur jab pinjra khulta hai to Aalah he malik hai. And, then he asks Shantabibi to marry him saying, tumhara sath hoga to yeh janwar hai jo yahan merey andar woh kaboo mein rahega. And when she doesnt marry him, he abducts her which, brings out the fact women are made victims of mens nuisance and jealousy. Also, it is brings out the psychological implications of the partition very well. The sense of insecurity and fear runs through out the movie.For example, the car scene, the surrounding by the mob at the end etc. Besides, it shows Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Parsees all equally affected. And, even questions though indirectly as to what religion is when, Lennys father comments on the marriage and conversion of Papoo to Christian saying, good move, anyways, Hindu Gods dont count much for the happenings in Lahore this days. Most importantly, unlike the other two texts, it links it very well with the present and brings o ut the relevance wonderfully. At the end, what happened to Ayah isnt clearly stated, Deepa Mehta leave a question mark there but, says, mainey apni Ayah ko us din ke baad kabhi nahi dekha , 1947 ke us din ke bad jab mainey apni Ayah ke sath apney vajud, apney dil ka ek hissa hamesha ke liye kho diya tha Dissmissing the question on her fate as whatever it was, was obviously tragic and hopeless and instead linking it to our identity and finally, questioning the audience with the song, Ishwar, Allah. Because, more than 50 years have passed since partition, and yet the riots havent really stopped Partition was more than anything birth of Hindu-Muslim hatred which will probably never die.As for demerits, its a pro India, pro Hindu novel. Its silent politically, but, openly blames the British without really examining the causes. It is also silent on the womens recovery operation. Besides, it doesnt talk of the partition on the Bengal border. But, on the whole, Deepa Mehta has packed a lo t in the 3-hour movie and brought the relevance of the partition literature well. Looking at all three texts, simultaneously, I personally, feel Sunlight on a Broken Column questions the traditional historiography at almost all levels unlike Ice-Candy Man and 1947 Earth.So, going by the criteria of questioning traditional historiography, it portrays the Partition of India best. Though even 1947 Earth and Ice-Candy Man do it but, to a lesser extent. 1947 Earth highlights the massacre and suffering and stresses more on the psychological impact and relevance as of date but, it doesnt question that many or even that far the assumptions of traditional historiography. Ice-Candy Man on the other hand focuses on the ill-treatment of women very well, but, it doesnt quite question the patriarchal power system and its assumptions.