PARTITION NARRATIVES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF AMITAV GHOSH AND BAPSI SIDHWA’S WORKS

Abstract

This research paper embarks on a critical comparative study of the works of Amitav Ghosh and Bapsi Sidhwa, with a focus on their depiction of the Partition of India and the ensuing violence. By exploring Ghosh’s "The Shadow Lines" and "Sea of Poppies" alongside Sidhwa’s "Ice-Candy Man" and "Water," the paper investigates how these authors narrate the complexities of identity, displacement, and the human cost of political upheavals. The study aims to unravel how historical events are personalized in their narratives, offering a voice to the marginalized and presenting a nuanced understanding of the past. It examines the psychological impact of Partition on different communities, while also considering the role of gender, as depicted in Sidhwa’s works. Furthermore, this paper delves into the ideological perceptions of the minority Parsi community during the tumultuous times of Partition, as reflected in Sidhwa’s narrative stance. By dissecting the varied responses to the political rhetoric of the time, this study seeks to illuminate the broader implications of Partition and its portrayal in key literary works.