The Male Orphan

    Dhoop Kinarey is the first instance where we have seen a male orphan as embodied in Dr. Ahmer, as opposed to the female orphans earlier in the form of Khirad in Humsafar and Jane Eyre in the novel of the same name. What is critical to note about all these works is the failure of patriarchal figures in all three works, but whereas in the cases of the females orphans these failures are critiqued, and by the female orphans themselves, in Dhoop Kinaray Ahmer is unable to criticise any of these wrong doings.

    The biggest failure by a patriarchal figure in Ahmer’s life is on part of his adoptive father. Here the failure is largely paternal. Though his father hides from him the fact that he has a daughter and later leaves the house to his grand daughter never does Ahmer sit and wonder about his wrongdoing. Instead he curses his own self and directs all of his hatred towards the unknown figure of the grand daughter. Though it might appear that his hate for Zoya is great, it is in fact himself that he hates most. In his letter the Professor warns “ Dilon kay zakham cancer ki tarha shaakh ba shaakh pheltay chalay jaatay hain”. Ahmer later confirms this when he talks to his friend Adil and says, “nafrat (-) meray andar bohut dur tak phel gayi hai.” The male orphan is unable to channel his misgivings about the paternal figure in a rational way, and so deep is his inability to do so that it manifests it self in the form of disease almost.

    It is only when Zoya unwittingly points this out is Ahmer able to gain some form of redemption. In the conversation after her resignation, Zoya says to him “Jin logon ko hum aasmaanon per bitha detay hain jab who girtay hain tou chot hamain khud lagti hai.” Though these words are directed towards Dr. Ahmer they have a deep resonance in the relation that the doctor had with his father. It is only after this moment of realisation that Ahmer is able to late go of his deep hate and try to establish a relationship with Zoya.