LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 18:1 January 2018
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
         N. Nadaraja Pillai, Ph.D.
         Renuga Devi, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.
         Dr. S. Chelliah, Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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Gender Discrimination in Mahesh Dattani’s Tara

Niranjanadevi. A., M.Phil. English


Abstract

Mahesh Dattani is one of India’s most serious contemporary playwrights, writing in English. He is the first playwright in English to be honoured with the “Sahitya Academy Award”. A director, actor, dancer, teacher and writer, Dattani before entering the world of literature, worked as a copywriter in an advertising firm. His first play is “Where there’s a will”. There is a long chain of plays written by him -- “Tara”, “Night Queen”, “Final Solutions”, “Dance like a man” and others. These are the plays which embody many of the classic concerns of the world of drama. His plays deal with the social and contemporary issues. Apart from theatre, he is also active in the field of filmmaking. His works express his political beliefs without being instructive or revolting. His plays question all kinds of discrimination including religious prejudice, and gender discrimination. The subjects of recognition and power struggles run right through all his plays. His plays not only bring up gender issues, but also the space allotted to women in a patriarchal society.

Keywords: Mahesh Dattani, gender discrimination, social issues, male domination

The Play Tara - Focus on Gender Roles

In the 21st century, when in India girls have repeatedly proved themselves competent for every profession, the deep-rooted gender discrimination continues even among the affluent and educated people living the so called modern life in the metro cities. Dattani seems to consider gender issues more prominent than others, in today’s Indian society.

One of the most important themes in the play is that of gender roles in modern society in Gujarati and generally in Indian life. The play explores infanticide and its effect on the remaining family members. In a society that it supposed to be advanced and show respect to women, we still find it common to kill baby girls. The play Tara carries the theme of unequal treatment given to male and female children even when they are born physically attached twins. The point of equality between male and female, and equal opportunities given to both are very superficial. In reality, a female has to face inequality at every level, whether it be a family or society.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Niranjanadevi. A., M.Phil. English
Sri Adhi Chunchanagiri Women’s College
(Kumili Road) Cumbum
Theni-625516
Tamilnadu
India
niranjanadevi671996@gmail.com

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