Objects as Conflicting Phenomena: Relocating the ‘Memorables’ against the Backdrop of Indo-Pak Divide as Reflected in Anchal Malhotra’s Remnants of a Separation

Abstract

The proposition of Indo-Pak partition and its subsequent implementation created unprecedented havocs across the two borders. The severely affected people of both countries underwent acute physical violence and psychological damage. People still carry the devastating memory of this traumatic event and this memory is consistently getting reflected in different works. Anchal Malhotra’s Remnants of a Separation adequately portrays the conflicting aspects of material memory carried from generation to generation across the border. She vividly describes the subtle features of these objects that carry the material memory of the affected people. The present paper attempts to analyse some of the material objects mentioned by Anchal Malhotra by incorporating the aspects of Trauma theory. On the one hand, these objects function as healing experience for them and at the same time, these material objects evoke intense agony and trauma for them. Thus, these memories have dual effects upon the survivors and these conflicting aspects can be traced in the work of Anchal Malhotra.