Thematic Matrices in Krishna Sobti: a study of her major works in Translation

Abstract

Literature in translation has come to assume vital significance in the present times in the wake of Globalisation and the focus is shifting from the dominant languages like English to hitherto unknown or lesser known languages. In the postcolonial scenario, English in India has resurrected itself in a new avtaar where it is being used to project the works of more and more Bhasha writers on the global scene. Despite the fact that the works of writers like Krishna Sobti are practically untranslatable due to their specificities of culture and region, her translated works successfully capture the various thematic matrices that the noted Hindi writer creates in her works. The first basic matrix comes in the form of power structures operating in the lives of characters in Sobti s fictional world at various levels of class, caste, gender etc. The characters react to these power structures differently. Some characters, unable to resist, succumb to them while some others show awareness to protest against the hegemonized oppression and find fissures in the structures of power. Sobti s approach to gender issues is also governed by the issues of power as many of her women characters are conditioned by the patriarchal forces. Sobti raises gender issues zealously in her works and hits hard on the lacunae in the patriarchal system that do not allow a woman to live life with dignity and individual space. She however does not view the issues from a narrow feminist perspective. Her approach to various issues is governed by an essentially humanistic viewpoint wherein man and woman become complementary rather than being opposite poles; each trying to respect the viewpoint of the other. In fact, Sobti s worldview is that of a humanist wherein basic human dignity is placed above everything. That is why her characters are seen celebrating their lives despite the octopus like stranglehold of the power structures. They consider life bliss and anything that is life sustaining is important for them.