EXPLORING THE VOICES OF PAKISTANI NOVELISTS: A LITERARY AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Pakistani literature reflects the country’s social, political, cultural, and historical changes. Modern Pakistani novelists focus on identity, cultural conflicts, and political challenges, showing how local and global cultures interact. This study looks at how these writers talk about national identity, cultural strength, and social change. It also examines the effects of colonialism, postcolonial identity, and cultural shifts in a globalized world. The study focuses on three novels: The Pakistani Bride by Bapsi Sidhwa (2008), The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid (2007), and Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie (2009). These novels show cultural and historical challenges in postcolonial Pakistan. The study talks about identity, gender, and the impact of colonial history. Using Edward Said’s theory of Orientalism (1978), the research explores the power relations between the East and West. The findings show that Pakistani novelists reclaim stories shaped by colonialism. They discuss themes like hybridity, identity crisis, and social change. Their works challenge stereotypes of the East and present a deeper view of modern Pakistani identity. Gender, power, and the impact of partition are key themes. The study shows that literature in postcolonial countries helps resist and rethink cultural ideas. It also highlights how writers create new stories about national identity and culture for the world.