Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part G (2024)

This research paper proposes to examine the portrayal of homosexual attraction in Vanita's novel, Memory of Light (2020). It explores how the social and geographical aspects of the kotha (a type of brothel) contribute to the reconstruction of intimate relationships between women. Additionally, it intends to demonstrate how this portrayal offers a distinct perspective on community and a feeling of belonging within a historical context. The story depicts the connection between two prostitutes and portrays a picture of the earlier Lucknow and its lively kothas, characterized by unique architectural elements. In addition to its primary purpose of providing entertainment for male clientele, the kothas, as exclusively female institutions, also functioned as a safe and private area for women. The study examines the political aspects of placing same-sex desire within the historical context of the pre-colonial era. The study explores how the act of remembering kothas serves two distinct purposes within the realm of lesbian politics, specifically the concept of "memory of places." Firstly, it creates a connection between the historical experiences of women adoring women and the modern consideration of 'lesbians' in neocolonial times. Secondly, it employs meta-fictional elements strategically to tell narratives of same-sex love in a subversive manner, while also addressing the historical neglect of spaces where homosexuality exists.