Since common people only get to hear the media version of Kashmir, the story from only one side, Shahnaz Bashir, in his "The half mother" makes a bold effort to present the story of the other side. His attempt is a daring feat because being a male, he takes the task of portraying and narrating the story and emotions of a woman. The Half Mother is a powerful account of what a mother feels and goes through when her child is taken away from her infront of her eyes.
This is the main theme around which the entire narrative revolves. There are other minor themes and issues that the author attempts to raise here. These are, the position of women, loss mistaken identity, relationships, love, family, political manipulation, subjugation of common man.
The power of Bashir is such that this idea of half resonates throughout the text and gives jolts to the reader. Resultant of this, the reader is helplessly sympathetic towards the protagonist, Haleema but at the same time is in awe of her powerful transformation from a mute, voiceless, crying mother to becoming the leader of the Association of Relatives of the Disappeared Persons.
The two most important men in her life, her life, her father Ab Jaan and Imran also emerge as lively and realistic characters. They both meet their tragic fates which infuses pathos in Bashir's writing. Bashir's debut with this powerful and daring writing successfully gives voice to the women who suffer the most, especially mothers. They remain half not just as mothers but also in every phase of their lives.
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