A Trauma-Informed Analysis of the Song “Rod Aji Keni Pau.” by Zubeen Garg Through Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) in the Context of Women Facing Violence in Assam

Abstract

Violence against women often produces long-lasting psychological, emotional, and social consequences that are not always expressed through direct testimony. In many socio-cultural contexts, particularly within patriarchal societies, survivors frequently communicate experiences of suffering through symbolic and narrative forms such as songs, poetry, and oral traditions. This study examines the Assamese song “Rod Aji Keni Pau” by Zubeen Garg as a trauma narrative and explores its potential significance within the framework of narrative healing. Using a qualitative textual and narrative analysis approach, the study interprets the song through Trauma Theory, Narrative Therapy, and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET). The analysis focuses on recurring symbols, emotional imagery, lyrical progression, and narrative structure to understand how the song represents trauma, emotional fragmentation, hopelessness, and healing.
The findings reveal that the song functions as a culturally embedded trauma narrative that reflects emotional disorientation, relational instability, existential despair, and the search for meaning after psychological suffering. Symbols such as darkness, lost pathways, silence, and inaccessible sunlight represent the fragmented emotional experiences commonly associated with trauma survivors. The study further demonstrates that the song's narrative progression closely mirrors the therapeutic process described in Narrative Exposure Therapy, where fragmented memories and emotions gradually move toward narrative articulation and meaning-making. Additionally, the research highlights the role of Assamese musical traditions as culturally meaningful spaces for emotional expression, particularly for women whose experiences of violence are often silenced by social stigma and patriarchal structures.
The study concludes that Assamese songs can function not only as artistic expressions but also as emotional testimonies, trauma archives, and narrative healing spaces. By bridging Western trauma frameworks with indigenous cultural narratives, the research contributes to trauma-informed literary studies and highlights the potential of Assamese musical narratives in women-centered healing practices and culturally sensitive approaches to psychological recovery.