CHANDIGARH, 10.03.25-Xpressions– The Literary Society, under the aegis of the Postgraduate Department of English at Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women, Chandigarh, organised an insightful session titled Gender, Identity, and Resistance: Amrita Pritam and Pinjar. Conducted as part of the Value-Added Course on Partition Literature for BA-I students, the event aimed to deepen students' understanding of the Partition through literature, poetry, and cinema.

The session began with an engaging lecture by Dr. Jatinder Kaur, Assistant Professor, Department of Punjabi, who provided a nuanced exploration of the Partition and its lasting impact, particularly on women. She referenced the works of Amrita Pritam, Saadat Hasan Manto, Bhisham Sahni, Krishna Sobti, Intizar Hussain, and Rajinder Singh Bedi, highlighting their literary depictions of displacement, loss, and resilience. Through thought-provoking discussions and video excerpts, Dr. Kaur emphasised how literature serves as both a historical record and a medium of emotional expression, offering voices to those who endured the trauma of Partition. Following the lecture, the audience was immersed in the screening of Pinjar, a cinematic adaptation of Amrita Pritam’s novel. The film powerfully depicted themes of identity, autonomy, and the struggles of women caught in the violence of Partition, reinforcing the literary discourse initiated in the lecture.

Officiating Principal Ms. Suman Mahajan applauded the efforts of the Department of English and Xpressions – The Literary Society for organising such an intellectually stimulating session. She emphasised d the importance of engaging with history through multiple lenses, including literature and film, to develop a more profound and empathetic understanding of past events.