'How Many More Fragments?' (Aur Kitne Tukde): Exploring Gendered Violence on Partition(ed) Women in Theatre

Publisher： Bloomsbury Journals (formerly Berg Journals)

ISSN： 1478-0046

Source： Cultural and Social History, Vol.6, Iss.4, 2009-12, pp. : 447-466

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Abstract

This article critically engages with a contemporary play, Aur Kitne Tukde, staged in the Hindi language in various cities and towns in India and Pakistan, about gendered violence during Partition. It unsettles the master narrative of 'honour', 'martyrdom', 'choice' and women's 'agency' on Partition. The article also highlights the significance of the play in breaking the silences around Partition in the theatre, which, as compared with other cultural and literary mediums, reaches out to a larger section of people in unique ways. It underlines how the whole production of the play was a process of traversing and sharing the journey and trauma of Partition not only for the actors but also for the audiences. The article also tries to problematize the whole question of violence and its representation.