Tanveer Anjum's Poetry: Dimensions of Alienation in a Neo-Feminist Perspective

Abstract

Historically, humans engaged in communal activities ,storytelling, scholarly discussions, and festive gatherings that fostered a sense of belonging. However, with industrialization and technological advancements, human interactions became increasingly mechanical, favoring utility over intimacy. This detachment led to a profound sense of alienation as individuals turned inward, grappling with existential solitude.Erich Fromm describes alienation as the condition where individuals perceive themselves as impoverished beings, disconnected from their creations and surroundings. This detachment has deepened over time, correlating with the rise of industrial society, consumer culture, and patriarchal dominance. Alienation manifests as psychological distress, impacting individuals' identity, relationships, and societal roles. Thinkers like Karl Marx and Simone de Beauvoir explore its dimensions, linking it to economic exploitation, gender inequality, and loss of autonomy.In literature, existential philosophy addresses these themes by emphasizing individual freedom, resistance to oppression, and the search for meaning amidst life's absurdities. Urdu literature, particularly the works of poets like Tanveer Anjum, reflects this existential struggle. Anjum's poetry encapsulates the alienation of women in patriarchal societies, portraying their solitude and existential battles as both personal and universal experiences.This article explores the multifaceted nature of alienation ,its philosophical, economic, and gendered dimensions while analyzing its representation in existentialist literature and urdu poetry of Tanveer Anjum. By doing so, it sheds light on the enduring relevance of existential thought in addressing the crises of identity and alienation in contemporary society especially among women.