Volume : 10, Issue : 8, AUG 2024

FEMINIST REINTERPRETATION OF DRAUPADI’S CHARACTER: A VOICE FROM THE MARGINS

SOUMYA YADU, DR. SHASHANK GUPTA

Abstract

The Mahabharata is one of the two main ancient Indian epics, with the Ramayana being the other. At its heart, it’s a story of rivalry between royal cousins, the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Their fight for the throne leads to the bloody battle of Kurukshetra, where many kings participate and perish. Draupadi, also called Krishna, Panchali, and Yajnaseni, is the main female protagonist in the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata. She is the daughter of King Drupada and the wife of the five Pandava brothers—Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a modern reimagining of the ancient epic Mahabharata, told from the perspective of Draupadi. It presents the story through the eyes of a woman navigating life in a deeply patriarchal society. The epic features many strong and complex women, such as Kunti, Gandhari, and Panchali, who significantly influence the story. However, they often remain as shadowy figures or marginalized. Their thoughts, emotions and feelings are only mentioned when they impact the lives of the male heroes around them, such as their fathers, husbands, brothers, or sons. Their portrayal in the epic is quite disappointing. Divakaruni reimagines Draupadi as more than just a wife and queen; she is portrayed as a deeply complex person with her own dreams, ambitions, and viewpoints. This depiction challenges the traditional image of a submissive woman often found in ancient texts. Instead, Divakaruni highlights Draupadi's inner conflicts, joys and doubts, struggles and triumphs, her heartbreaks and achievements and her unwavering sense of justice. Her desire for power and equality reflects feminist ideals, pushing back against the societal norms that typically push women into the background. This fresh interpretation not only gives Draupadi a powerful voice but also critiques the patriarchal frameworks of the epic, making her a symbol of feminist strength. Ultimately, Divakaruni presents Draupadi as a dynamic character who navigates the complexities of power, gender, and autonomy, providing a significant feminist perspective on a revered ancient epic. Divakaruni reimagines Draupadi as more than just a wife and queen; she is portrayed as a deeply complex person with her own dreams, ambitions, and viewpoints. (p. 215).

Article : Download PDF

Cite This Article

-

Article No : 19

Number of Downloads : 433

References

1. Banerjee, Chitra Divakaruni. The Palace of Illusions. New Delhi: Picador India, 2008.

2. Narayan, R. K. The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1978.

3. Thapar, Romila. The Past Before Us: Historical Traditions of Early North India. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2013.

4. Sugirtharajah, Sharada. Imagining Hinduism: A Postcolonial Perspective. London: Routledge, 2003.

5. Lal, P. The Mahabharata of Vyasa: Condensed from Sanskrit. Kolkata: Writers Workshop, 1969.