Evoking Indigenous Professions in Subcontinent: A Case Study of Between Clay and Dust by Musharraf Ali Farooqi

Abstract

Culture forms the foundation of every nation. Whether tangible or intangible, it sets one nation apart from another. This article explores the indigenous culture of the subcontinent as portrayed in the celebrated Pakistani writer and translator Musharraf Ali Farooqi’s novel Between Clay and Dust. The novel primarily revolves around the traditional spaces of “Kotha” (courtesan house) and “Akhara” (wrestling arena), which were once integral to the cultural fabric of the subcontinent. To analyze this cultural representation, Edward Said’s theory of Orientalism serves as the theoretical framework. This theory emphasizes the importance of culture, its deep connection to identity, and the distinction between internal and external cultural influences.It is an undeniable reality that the partition of the subcontinent caused a severe decline in its cultural heritage. Through a close examination of Between Clay and Dust, particularly the characters of Ustad Ramzi and Gohar Jan, the novel brings to light the fading traditions of Kotha, Akhara, and other once-revered professions. Both characters are deeply devoted to their respective arts, yet over time, they find themselves gradually stripped of their status. Their successors lack the ability to uphold their ancestors' legacy, ultimately leading to the dominance of external cultural influences over indigenous traditions in the subcontinent.