طاہرہ اقبال کی نسائی کردار نگاری: ناول ’’ہڑپہ‘‘ کے تناظر میں

TAHIRA IQBAL’S PORTRAYAL OF FEMALE CHARACTERS: A STUDY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE NOVEL HARAPPA

Abstract

In the literary world, the novel is considered the most structured, coherent, and organized medium for presenting life. It is regarded as a portrait of the human character. Tahira Iqbal has written three distinguished novels”Neeli Baar, Giran, and  Harappa”with grace and depth. In her novel “Harappa”, she explores three major themes: Settled Harappa, Ruined Harappa, and Natural Harappa, through which she portrays the civilization and culture of the Harappan era.To reveal the various aspects of womanhood, Tahira Iqbal has created three strong and dynamic female characters: Chanan, Bali, and Sanober. Through Bali’s character, she skillfully portrays the allure of feminine beauty, delicacy, agency, social criticism, and the complexities of marriage. Sanober represents the complete picture of a woman’s physical growth and her emotional and sexual turbulence an audacious portrayal rarely attempted in literature. Chanan, in contrast, longs for freedom and power. She desires to love and dominate powerful men and even wishes to become a courtesan, but her physical inadequacies hinder her. Through these characters, Tahira Iqbal addresses universal mysteries, natural truths, and the philosophy of life, challenging social injustices with remarkable intensity.