Manufacturing the Self and the Collective (original) (raw)

In Kashmir, since the Valley became a conflict zone, when much of the social and political life has turned into questions of recognition, the concept of identity poses a quandary. Furthermore, when identity is comprehended as something that comes from the outside rather than something discovered as having existed within, narratives play a central role in providing a sense of identity. Within this domain of narratives but afar the factual details is a space that is deeply personal and it is through these personal accounts that emerges the preeminence of memory and its ability to provide a meaning to one’s existence.The paper, through reading of life narratives from the conflict zone of Kashmir, traces how memory is not merely a shadow or something out of control, but it is rather an alluring sanctuary. Memory becomes a tool for introspection, questioning the self and, at the same time, is also employed as a constituent of the collective during the process of recollection of the past....