Women and the 'Kamra'

The dynamics of negotiating identity in terms of public and private space, inter-plays with notions of ownership and gender throughout Pakistani society, and it is a theme that is hard to miss in the drama 'Humsafar'. With particular reference to the first few episodes, the private sphere is constructed as essential for constructing the identity of one woman, which is Khirad. However since at the beginning, the private space that Khirad finds herself in, does not seem to own or need her, her identity is displaced. Thus we hear continual references to the room, or kamra, which is quintessentially the most private of all spheres. So for example Khirad confides in Batool Khala in a dialogue that goes somewhat like: "Yeh ghar, yeh kamra, Ashar, kuch bi mera nai hai, Mujhe yahan zillat ke ilawa kuch mehsoos nai hota... Yahan kisi ko bi meri zarurat nai hai". The Kamra however, also becomes the place which helps her reconstruct her identity and gain an understanding with Ashar, who when he sees her crying outside the room says something like: "Aainda se agar aap ko rona ho, hansna ho, ya kuch bi share karna ho, aap please kamre mai hi karein gi". It is after this dialogue that an understanding between the two starts to develop.

In contrast however is Sara. who is more an inhabitant of the public sphere, which is from which she draws her identity. This can be shown by her behavior and language in the public sphere, for example the office where she is confident about herself, as opposed to when she is at home, or particularly within the confines of her room, that she is insecure and obsessive. It is also significant that her understanding with Ashar,even her declaration of love for him, is a product mostly of the public sphere; they are usually to be found in some cafe or restaurant together. This can also be contrasted with Khirad, who seems uncomfortable and out of place in the cafe setting.
Thus though it would be too simplistic to reduce the idea of the play into a 'home is the place of the woman' ideology, there are many elements that it does seem to draw from this discourse.