Authors: Dr. Swati R. Gade
Abstract: This paper examines the symbolism and imagery of the veil in Imtiaz Dharker’s poem “Purdah I.” The study focuses on how Dharker transforms the purdah from a physical covering into a complex symbol of female identity, social control, concealment, and psychological restriction. Through recurring images of veiling, darkness, doors, boundaries, and partial visibility, the poem explores the ways in which cultural expectations regulate women’s bodies and behaviour. The analysis also considers the relationship between the veil and female sexuality, privacy, and self-perception. Dharker’s use of visual and spatial imagery reveals that purdah is not merely an external practice but can become an internalized form of social conditioning. The poem ultimately presents concealment as both physical and psychological, inviting readers to consider the complex relationship between tradition, identity, visibility, and freedom.
