IMTIAZ DHARKER:The next one I'll read you is-- Well it started because of something that happened in Lahore at the end of the 20th Century. A woman was shot by her family in her lawyers office and her crime was that she'd asked for a divorce and at the time, the whole Pakistan senate refused to condemn the act because they called it an honour killing
IMTIAZ DHARKER:but to me there was no honour in that kind of killing and it had to be called a murder and it had to be condemned by the government. Honour Killing. "At last I'm taking off this coat, this black coat of a country that I swore for years was mine, that I wore more out of habit than design.
IMTIAZ DHARKER:Born wearing it, I believed I had no choice. I'm taking off this veil, this black veil of a faith that made me faithless to myself, that tied my mouth, gave my god a devil's face, and muffled my own voice. I'm taking off these silks, these lacy things that feed dictator dreams, the mangalsutra and the rings
IMTIAZ DHARKER:rattling in a tin cup of needs that beggared me. I'm taking off this skin, and then the face, the flesh, the womb. Let's see what I am in here when I squeeze past the easy cage of bone. Let's see what I am out here, making, crafting, plotting at my new geography."
Imtiaz Dharker performs and describes her poem Honour Killing.
She describes how the poem was inspired by the case of a young woman in Pakistan, killed by her family for wanting a divorce.
She talks about how she emotionally turned away from her homeland as a result of her government's response to the murder.
This clip is from the series Contains Strong Language.
Teacher viewing recommended prior to use in the classroom
Teacher Notes
Pupils could create a chart of themes they think the poem covers, and how Imtiaz’ use of language and pace supports or enables this.
As a vocal exercise, pupils could look at whether the meaning of the poem changes from being read on the page to being read aloud.
Does anything else jump out at them which they hadn't previously noticed?
Curriculum Notes
This topic is relevant for teaching English Literature at KS4 & GCSE/National 4 & 5.
More from the series: Contains Strong Language
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Imtiaz Dharker performs The Right Word. video
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Imtiaz Dharker performs Blessing. video
Imtiaz Dharker performs and describes her poem Blessing.
Imtiaz Dharker performs This Room. video
Imtiaz Dharker performs and describes her poem This Room.
Daljit Nagra performs his poem Singh Song! video
Daljit Nagra performs his poem Singh Song!, and gives insight into the background of the poem.
Daljit Nagra performs his poem X. video
Daljit Nagra performs his short poem X, and gives insight into the background of the poem.
Daljit Nagra performs In a White Town. video
Daljit Nagra performs his poem In a White Town, and gives insight into the background of the poem.
Daljit Nagra performs Darling and Me. video
Daljit Nagra performs his poem Darling and Me, and gives insight into the background of the poem
