LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 25:6 June 2025
ISSN 1930-2940

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An Examination of Subverted Hegemonic Paradigms in the Novels of Kavita Kane

M. Sarada Devi, Research Scholar and
Shakila Bhanu Shaik, Associate Professor of English

Abstract

This paper presents a feminist reinterpretation of mythology, focusing on lesser-known female characters and retelling their stories from a gynocentric perspective. It delves into Kavita Kane's subversion of traditional and hegemonic paradigms within her works. The paper focuses on Kane's "Karna's Wife: The Outcast's Queen," in which Kané examines Uruvi, a typically minor character in the Mahabharata, and grants her a central role. Through Uruvi's perspective, Kané challenges dominant narratives surrounding heroism and caste discrimination. The paper explores Uruvi's emotional complexities, struggles, and agency, showcasing her strength and resilience within a patriarchal society. It also highlights how Kane's approach mirrors the possibilities of women-centric portrayals through a revisionist perspective, ultimately subverting hegemonic paradigms prevalent in mythologies. By analyzing Kane's treatment of characters relegated to minor roles or negative stereotypes in traditional narratives, the researcher aims to understand how Kane challenges and redefines established norms, offering a fresh perspective on mythological storytelling.

Keywords: feminism, patriarchy, myth retelling, subversions, revolt, realize

Introduction

Myths are timeless reflections of fundamental human concerns that may be found in any community; indeed, they might be regarded as an integral part of culture itself. Humans have told stories since the dawn of time in order to place human life amid strange and unfathomable powers that surround them and to find meaning and purpose therein. When these tales get ingrained in folklore, they are referred to as myths. Neanderthal gravesites containing diverse items that have been intentionally placed to convey a belief in a realm beyond death are among the earliest evidence of mythical thinking (Armstrong, 2005). Myths are expressed in various ways as culture evolves, from religious ceremonies to visual art, literary works, and therapeutic symbols.

Myths, folklore, folktales, and stories have profoundly influenced people worldwide. These stories are frequently used to instill morals and goodness in youngsters and humanity as a whole. Unlike histories, which are symbolic narratives, myths are entertaining and imaginative. They deal with spiritual truths rather than facts. They serve as the underpinnings of belief, illustrating how things came to be and who was engaged in the process. However, because they were written mainly or imagined by men, these stories have a strong androcentric bent. These male writers scarcely interpreted gyno-centric feelings and aspirations. Many writers have reinvented the narrative from a female perspective in recent years to emphasize the need for a gender-inclusive perspective on various factors that affect society. It is the societal clout of myths that motivates many writers to use them to address a variety of pressing and sensitive issues. The myths, which are largely androcentric, were created to school women about ideal womanhood, such as chastity, subservience, and self-sacrifice, among other things. Thanks to the feminism waves that ebbed and went through the literary scenes, leaving imprints in a variety of literary genres. Chanda-Vaz says that "traditionally, Indian mythology has promoted the patriarchy by confining women along with the Shudras. Now the circumstances are changing. The subaltern continues to employ the techniques that justified their subjugation to empower themselves."

Karen Horney (1885-1952), a Neo-Freudian psychologist who studied Feminine Brain research, believes male stories cannot reflect female psychological studies or female sex if women do not train them. Understanding the female psyche and regaining feminine memories requires a female-driven academic program. Writing is interpretive. Western authors from Mary Wollstonecraft to Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar have addressed women's challenges. Women were exposed to male-centric mentalities through both print and inappropriate behavior. India produces Krupabai. Satthianadhan, Tarabai Shinde, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, and Kavita Kane demanded freedom.

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

M. Sarada Devi, Research Scholar
Department of English & other Indian and Foreign Languages, School of Applied Science and Humanities, VFSTR Deemed to be University Guntur-522213, India
saradadevibs@svecw.edu.in
&
Shakila Bhanu Shaik, Associate Professor of English
Department of English & other Indian and Foreign Languages, School of Applied Science and Humanities, VFSTR Deemed to be University Guntur-522213, India
bhanushakila@gmail.com
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