Alternative Narrative of Partition: A Lyotardian Analysis of Parmeshar Singh

Abstract

The study aims at investigating alternative narratives in the partition narrative of the subcontinent concerning the postmodern conditions. The shared knowledge in postmodern traditions invites multiple realities for the epistemology of the perceivers. The Reconstruction of knowledge is marked with putting Meta-narratives into question, especially in the late 1950s in Europe. These constructions of ‘realities’ in Postmodern traditions import in-depth study of the narratives produced in the specific period of time, unchallenged and accepted until postmodern critique deconstructed the structures of realities. In this response, the partition narrative of Indo-Pak history has been investigated to identify the alternative narratives of the violent event, raging heavy death toll on both sides of the border. Lyotard’s alternative narrative technique is framed to identify humane aspects under the bloodshed riddles of the partitions in the partition narratives. The events recorded in the narratives regarding the humane aspects are spotlighted to offer an alternative narrative lying under the cover of the violent partition narrative. Indo–Pak fiction concerning the partition of the sub-continent, giving a ferocious account of the mass immigration across the border and the brutalities on the ‘others’ on theological details are narrowed down. Amongst these violent accounts of partition, showing a hostile face of the event, humane aspects are ignored to be acknowledged and partition is always propagated as a nightmare with bloodshed, brutality, and savagery. The present study focuses on providing sufficient grounds to proceed by alternating narratives from the nexus of partition towards a humanitarian approach.