Representation of Colorism in Pakistani Dramas: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

This research gives an insight into discrimination based on color inPakistani drama serials.  The  current  study  is  limited  to  the  analysis  of  the  drama  serial  Parizaad  aired  in  2021.  It employs Norman Fairclough’s three-dimensional  model  to  explore  the connection  that  lies between  different  social  practices  and  language. The  analysis  is  delimited  to  the  third dimension  which  deals  with  discourse  as  social  practice  as  theoretical  framework  for  this research.  It  meticulously  unfolds  associated  prejudices  and  biases  with  light  and  dark  skin tones depicted in the dialogues. The study explores particular language, words and strange attitudes  of  society  aimed  at  the  dark-skinned  person.  This  study  decodes  the  main thematic  concerns  of  Parizaad  drama  highlights  the  social  fabrication  of  colorism.  It  is revealed that colorism is deeply rooted in cultural and traditional values. The subject matter deals with  the experience of a dark-skinned person through multiple angles, encapsulating multiple  points  of  view.  This  study  also  puts  an  effort  to  display  the  social  psyche  of  the centraldark-toned  character  Parizaad.  The  main  findings  yielded  by  this  research  refer  to the  utilization  of  language  as  a  means  of  exploring  the  underlying  ideology  behind Colorism.  Within  the  context  of  the  drama  series  entitled  Parizaad,  media  discourse thoughtfully  addresses  the  issue  of  color-based  discrimination.  The  success  of  Parizaad  at the end of the drama challenges the social fabrication. Parizaad gives a powerful message of self-empowerment and self-worth which possesses a positive impact on the society