پاکستانی شاعرات کے کلام میں 'مامتا' کا تصور

THE CONCEPT OF 'MAMATA' IN THE POETRY OF PAKISTANI POETS

Abstract

This research article explores the multifaceted and evolving concept of motherhood (Mamta) as depicted in the works of Pakistani Urdu female poets. Historically viewed through a lens of absolute sanctity and religious reverence—encapsulated in the metaphor of "Heaven under the mother's feet"—motherhood in contemporary poetry has expanded into a complex discourse involving spiritual power, social struggle, and existential pain. Through a critical analysis of poets such as Amna Alam, Gulnar Afreen, Shabnam Shakeel, Nasim Syed, and Nargis Noor, this study examines the shift from idealized portrayals to the gritty realities of a mother's life. Key themes discussed include the mother as a symbol of self-negation (Khudi ki Nafi), the "inherited journey of patience" where pain is transmitted from mother to daughter, and the double burden of the working mother who balances economic survival with maternal care. Furthermore, the article delves into the tragic dimensions of motherhood, such as the loneliness of old age and the social irony of sons "dividing" their mother like property. The study concludes that motherhood in Pakistani Urdu poetry is not merely a domestic role but a powerful creative force and a spiritual shield (Saban) that protects the family while often leaving the mother herself in a state of emotional and social marginalization.