Khirad’s ‘Giri Hui Harkat’

The drama within the drama provides commentary on some important themes which are prevalent throughout. From the setting to the choice of words, every little detail seems to be depicting views which the drama appears to be endorsing.

To begin with, the performance takes place in the kitchen, which is regarded as the female private sphere. It is where Khirad largely understands her role and position in the greater domestic setting, as the drama opens with the scene where Khirad tells her mother she has cooked the food and performed all the chores in the kitchen. Khizar, on the other hand, is part of Khirad’s public sphere.

Secondly, the lie is constructed around Khirad’s duppatta, which is an integral part of her izzat. The dupatta is again placed within Khirad’s private sphere for she takes it off her head only after she marries Ashar and starts to attend social gatherings with him. After her marriage, the only time she covers her head is when she goes to university. The fact that Khizar threw water on her dupatta can be regarded as another moment where her public sphere is attacking her private sphere.

“Itni behudgi, itni behayi. Meray betay key mooun pey kaalak malney sey pehle tumhe koi sharam nahi aayi thee kya? Bhool gayi kisee ki biwi ho, hamarey ghar ki izzat ho? Pata nai yeh parhai ka dhong macha key hamari izzat kab se mittee mey mila rahi ho tum?” (Fareeda)

It is interesting to note how Fareeda links Khirad’s ‘fall’ with her pursuit of education. One of the biggest flaws Fareeda had with Khirad was that she was not educated enough and not open minded enough for her son and she could not settle for a ‘chotay souch ki larki’. Yet, when Khirad joins university only because she wants to be more educated for her husband, Fareeda claims that Khirad has been ruining the family’s izzat.

Other small details stood out from the performance as well. Fareeda uses strong words such as ‘gandagi’ and ‘ghalaazat’ and it juxtaposes very harshly with Khirad’s pure white dress. When Fareeda slaps Khirad the focus is placed on Ashar’s expression and it shows a look of sadness and disbelief. The screen lingers on that look for a moment and allows the viewers to remember the subtle romance that had started developing between the couple. Another gaze which caught my attention was Fareeda’s slight smile when Khirad is down on her knees begging Ashar. It is as if Fareeda has faith in her son that he will never believe Khirad.

The performance sheds light on another important aspect which is prevalent throughout the drama, and that is the role of love in a relationship and in a marriage. Sara’s love for Ashar drives her to attempt suicide and it is clear that the drama depicts love as irrational and undesirable. The perfect successful marriage is not modeled on love, but rather on communication and understanding. Yet, in this scene Khizar tells Khirad that they do not need to be embarrassed to love each other and to act on that love. This speech is all part of the lie and therefore an ironic tone is added to this belief in love.