Feminism and Female Subjectivity in Amrita Pritam’s Works
Keywords:
Amrita Pritam, Feminism, Female Subjectivity, Partition Literature, Indian Women WritersAbstract
This paper explores the themes of feminism and female subjectivity in the works of Amrita Pritam, one of the most iconic voices in Indian literature. Writing primarily in Punjabi and Hindi, Pritam’s works express the struggles, desires, and resilience of women in a patriarchal society. Her fiction, poetry, and autobiographical texts such as Pinjar (1950), Kagaz Te Canvas (1964), and Raseedi Ticket (1976) foreground the quest for identity, autonomy, and love in contexts shaped by Partition, cultural conservatism, and gendered oppression. Through her bold portrayal of women’s sexuality, emotional vulnerability, and spiritual yearning, Pritam challenged social norms and redefined literary traditions. This paper argues that Pritam’s feminist vision is not confined to protest against patriarchy but extends to affirming women’s subjectivity, inner lives, and agency. Her legacy situates her as both a pioneering feminist writer and a deeply humanist voice in Indian literature.
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