DECOLONIZING THE LITERARY LANDSCAPE: RETHINKING PAKISTANI LITERATURE IN A POSTCOLONIAL CONTEXT

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Muhammad Ramiz

Abstract

Pakistani literature, like many other postcolonial literatures, has been shaped by the complex and often fraught relationship between the colonizer and the colonized. This essay explores the ways in which Pakistani writers have grappled with the legacy of colonialism and sought to create a literature that is both authentically Pakistani and yet also engaged with the global literary landscape. The essay begins by examining the work of early Pakistani writers, such as Saadat Hasan Manto and Ahmed Ali, who sought to reclaim Pakistani culture from the distortions of colonial rule. These writers were deeply influenced by the modernist movement, and their work is characterized by its exploration of themes of alienation, identity, and the individual's place in society. The essay then turns to the work of postcolonial Pakistani writers, such as Mohsin Hamid, Nadeem Aslam, and Kamila Shamsie, who have emerged in the wake of Pakistan's independence. These writers are grappling with the challenges of building a new Pakistani identity in a postcolonial world, and their work is characterized by its exploration of themes of globalization, migration, and the relationship between the individual and the nation.The essay concludes by arguing that Pakistani literature is a vibrant and dynamic field that is making a significant contribution to global literature. Pakistani writers are decolonizing the literary landscape by creating a literature that is both authentically Pakistani and yet also engaged with the global literary landscape.

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How to Cite
Muhammad Ramiz. (2023). DECOLONIZING THE LITERARY LANDSCAPE: RETHINKING PAKISTANI LITERATURE IN A POSTCOLONIAL CONTEXT. Harf-O-Sukhan, 7(3), 501-522. Retrieved from https://harf-o-sukhan.com/index.php/Harf-o-sukhan/article/view/877