Bold Desires: Female Sexuality In Ismat Chughtai's Lihaaf

Abstract

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, sexuality is defined as “the feeling and activities connected with a person’s sexual desires” (Turnbull et al.). It is a way through which people experience and express themselves sexually. Women are frequently subjected to suppression in filial and socio-political contexts. Social norms and traditions across centuries and geographies have regulated and controlled women’s expression. Women are constantly living up to social expectations of either being one who nourishes or an object of sexual gratification of men. Ismat Chughtai is a formidable voice in Urdu literature who stands as an indomitable feminist icon, her works marked by a bold, unapologetic exploration of women’s issues in a patriarchal society. Her literature is a testament to her defiance against the conventional roles assigned to women, breaking away from traditional narratives to highlight the complexities and subjugation women faced.One of her most famous works, “Lihaaf” (The Quilt), published in 1942, delves into the taboo topic of female sexuality and same-sex love, subjects that were considered scandalous at the time. The story’s audacity led to a legal trial for obscenity, but Chughtai’s unwavering stance in defending her work underscored her commitment to exposing the unspoken realities of women’s lives.