کہکشاں انجم کے افسانوی مجموعہ "کہکشاں" کا فکری جائزہ

INTELLECTUAL ANALYSIS OF KAHKASHAN ANJUM’S SHORT STORY COLLECTION KAHKASHAN

Abstract

Kahkashan Anjum’s short story collection Kahkashan represents a distinctive intellectual and artistic trajectory within modern Urdu fiction, foregrounding the interplay between individual psyche, societal pressures, and relational complexities. Her narratives are not mere storytelling exercises; they emerge from a deep engagement with human consciousness, emotional nuance, and perceptive observation. Characters in Anjum’s stories are fully realized human beings rather than passive actors in unfolding events, imbued with psychological depth and emotional intricacies that reflect the challenges of lived experience.

A central focus of Anjum’s fiction is the female experience, exploring themes of subjugation, sacrifice, silence, and the gradual awakening of self-awareness. Women in her stories are portrayed not merely as victims of societal constraints but as active, sentient individuals navigating the journey toward self-realization. Through delicate yet powerful narrative strategies, she conveys the internal struggles and triumphs of her characters, making their emotional landscapes vivid and relatable.

Her narrative style combines symbolic expression, intensity of feeling, and perceptive observation to leave a lasting intellectual and emotional impression on the reader. Life, relationships, identity, and society are seamlessly interwoven into her fiction, creating an allegorical mirror that reflects the reader’s own experiences. This intricate layering of narrative, psychology, and societal commentary positions Kahkashan Anjum among the foremost female voices in contemporary Urdu literature. Her work not only enriches the literary tradition but also invites readers to engage in profound reflection on the human condition, the dynamics of gender, and the moral and emotional fabric of society.