SEXUAL LIBERTY IN ISMAT CHUGHTAI’S SHORT STORIES (Pages 90-101) by Ms. Snober Pir in THE ENGLISH RESEARCH EXPRESS / ISSN:2321-1164 (Online); 2347-2642 (Print)

Ismat Chughtai is one of the most courageous Urdu writer and a prominent member of the Progressive Writers’ Movement. Her works have been translated into English extensively earning her a name in India as well as abroad. Her works have been listed in Gender and Culture studies. A big chunk of her novels and collection of short stories deal with the concerns that are largely, though not exclusively, those of women. Her fiction depicts the quandary of female gender who are compelled to lead a voiceless and faceless existence in male-dominated society. She tries to give voice to women to express their inner urges to defy the unjust distribution of power and ways to resist the patriarchal structures. The writer boldly attempts to discuss female sexuality in her stories and present a fairly extensive canvas to mark her contribution to the sexual liberalisation of women. Since most of her work is in Urdu, it is important to situate her in her socio-cultural and literary contexts to make a subtle and informed reading of the available translated stories.smat Chughtai is one of the most courageous Urdu writer and a prominent member of the Progressive Writers’ Movement. Her works have been translated into English extensively earning her a name in India as well as abroad. Her works have been listed in Gender and Culture studies. A big chunk of her novels and collection of short stories deal with the concerns that are largely, though not exclusively, those of women. Her fiction depicts the quandary of female gender who are compelled to lead a voiceless and faceless existence in male-dominated society. She tries to give voice to women to express their inner urges to defy the unjust distribution of power and ways to resist the patriarchal structures. The writer boldly attempts to discuss female sexuality in her stories and present a fairly extensive canvas to mark her contribution to the sexual liberalisation of women. Since most of her work is in Urdu, it is important to situate her in her socio-cultural and literary contexts to make a subtle and informed reading of the available translated stories.Keywords: Urdu writer, Writers’ Movement, Gender and Culture studies, male-dominated society, sexual liberalization etc.