Sustaining Feminist Mnemonics: A Study of Temporal and Spatial Ecology of Memory in Geetanjali Sree’s “The Tomb of Sand”

Abstract

Geetanjali Shree’s Tomb of Sand (originally Ret Samadhi) intricately explores the interconnection of spatial memory, trauma and identity against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition of India. This research investigates the novel’s portrayal of memory as a collective of spatial and temporal ecology, with a distinct focus on its feminine perspective and its potential for fostering sustainability by reimagining historical narratives. Employing Aleida Assmann’s theory of ‘cultural memory’ and Homi K. Bhabha’s concept of ‘hybridity’, the study positions the novel as a transformative text that transcends linear historiography, constructing a multi-voiced narrative that intertwines personal and collective recollections. Assmann’s framework of cultural memory illuminates how the novel preserves and revitalises Partition’s traumatic legacy within a shared cultural consciousness. The protagonist’s cross-border journey- both literal and symbolic embodies an ecology of memory that transcends geopolitical demarcations, fostering a collective ethos of reconciliation. This underscores the critical role of feminine agency in curating and transmitting intergenerational memories. By creating a "third space," Bhabha's idea of "hybridity" simultaneously highlights the novel's dismantling of dichotomies and "Tomb of Sand" reconfigures and negotiates fractured identities. Partition's lasting effects are critiqued by the protagonist's feministic assertion of agency and subversive interaction with patriarchal and patriotic tropes. This study posits “Tomb of Sand” as a reimagined Partition narrative, functioning as a dynamic memory ecology that champions sustainability and inclusivity. By centring feminist voices and cross-border solidarity, the novel highlights the resilience of feminine perspectives in reconstructing collective spatial memory and envisioning a reconciliatory future.