Samina Ali’s Madras on a Rainy Day: Fornication and Homosexuality-Forbidden in Islam

Name of Author : Mrs. A H Parvin

Abstract: Samina Ali’s Madras on a Rainy Day is about Layla, a second generation Indo-American who plays a central character in the novel. This is a semi-autobiographical novel where Layla represents Samina Ali herself who was torn between two different nations, culture and hypocritical tradition practiced in Indian Muslim society which favoured men. Layla had to reluctantly agree for arranged marriage to Sameer which forced her to move to Hyderabad, India. Sameer, the groom has excuses to consummate on the first night. His hidden secret was revealed in Madras on a rainy day. Sameer turns out to be a gay who indulged in “recreational sex” with his friend Naveed where such an act in a country like India is forbidden. Layla as a straight woman had indulged in premarital sexual relationship with Nate in America, a country of freedom. Both are a sinful act in Islam. Layla and Sameer tussled not just for their personal and sexual struggles, but also on the larger questions of where and how they can belong to both the Unites States and India. This article depicts Layla’s resistance, gradual non-compliance with a dominant ideologies and hegemonic dogmas and practices which tried to subjugate and servitude her. She voiced out this oppression and through her action, liberated herself from the shackles of unconsummated meaningless marriage. This resistance of Layla holds as a mirror to the existing systems and thereby helps in introspecting and evolving as a society.

Keywords : Homosexuality, Feminism, Subjugate, Servitude, Recreational Sex, Fornication

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