THE VEIL -ISMAT CHUGHTAI

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THE VEIL

                                                         -ISMAT CHUGHTAI

                      The Veil is a short story that describes the tragic fate of an eighty year old virgin Gorbi. The story deals with pride and arrogance that portray the superficiality of traditions and customs and the false pride that governs the lives of the protagonist Kale Mian and Gorbi over a span of thirty years. The simple story expresses deep sorrow. The story The Veil written by Ismatchughtai is translated by Tahira Naqvi

            The Veil also known as “lihaaf” is written by Ismatchughtai who was considered a controversial writer at the time. The story is about a woman who lives in an oppressive society and is married through obligation. Her husband neglects her and she is caged within the four walls of the house.

            Gorbi is fair complexioned. At the age of fourteen she is engaged to Kale Mian a seventeen year old dark complexioned bride groom. According to their tradition the bride veil should be lifted by the bride groom on the wedding night. Kale Mian has a complex and is too sensitive of his dark complexion.

            He is overwhelmed by his beautiful fair complexioned bride so he is unable to lift the veil from her face on the wedding night. He repeatedly asks her to lift the veil. Gorbi who abides by the tradition is too ashamed to lift the veil from her face. Thinking that she is arrogant and disobedient Kale Mian leaves her on the very first night. Gorbi family members take steps to get the couple united their meeting when Gorbi is a young woman of twenty one years. But the same scene repeats and Kale Mian goes away from the house by jumping out through the window and remains away from her for the next thirty years and Gorbi waits for him as an untouched bride

            Now she is eighty years old. Hearing that Kale Mian has returned home she goes to meet him he is bed ridden. On his death bed he requests her to lift her veil. She remains silent for a long time. Then she moves and takes her old bridal dress and veil and puts it on and comes near his bed. He whispers to her to lift her veil. She tries with a tremble hand but fails. Kale Mian breathes his last Gorbi puts on the veil of widowhood over head.

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