Tag: #Feminism #METOO #MyRightsMyDignity

AN INTERVIEW WITH NOVELIST-FILMMAKER TRISHA DAS

Trisha Das, a filmmaker and bestselling author, has just published Misters Kuru: A Return to Mahabharata (HarperCollins India priced Rs 350), her latest work of feminist mythological fiction.

Ms Draupadi Kuru: A Novel is a sequel to her book. After the Pandavas, the racy, sassy roller-coaster ride full of action, adventure, romance, and comedy is set in modern-day Kalyug in Delhi as a kind of continuation of the Mahabharata.

Das has previously written and directed over 40 documentaries in her filmmaking career, winning an Indian National Film Award (2005) and being named the International Artist of the Year at the UGA (2003).

She discusses the significance of reimagining and rewriting myths from a female viewpoint, her early influences from Indian mythology, and the use of humour in mythology.

The Kuru novels are a kind of sequel to the Mahabharat, rather than a retelling. Thousands of years after the conclusion of the original Mahabharata, the storey of Ms Draupadi Kuru picks up in modern times. Draupadi and her companions descend from heaven to Delhi. The Pandava brothers accompany their women to Delhi in The Misters Kuru.

When asked the question “How were you motivated to write a feminist retelling of the Mahabharata in a contemporary setting?” She replied saying, “My motivation was simple- I wanted to give these characters another shot at their lives, at reshaping their destinies. So many of them were forced into living lives they didn’t want to- being stripped of their kingdom, exiles, et cetera. I though it would be fun to see what kind of lives they would choose, given the choice.”

A mythological woman apparently only has power over men if she has a small waist and lotus eyes, or if she is their mother.

It’s a pain. Women are celebrated for their sacrifices or their appearance rather than their accomplishments. Any form of resistance to being punished or attempt at self-determination is severely punished, and women are constantly punished for their menfolk’s dumb decisions. Ask any attractive woman wanting to take a bath in the woods. Consent is practically non-existent.

She said once, “My maternal grandfather started my fascination with mythology as a young child. He was religious, but in an inclusive way, and he told the best stories from both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. I read various versions and interpretations of the Mahabharata growing up and, as an adult, delved into the Ganguli and Debroy translations, alternate versions like Bheel Mahabharata and mythological fiction. I used to watch the TV series every Sunday on Doordarshan and point out mistakes, which everyone in my house found thoroughly annoying.”

Feminism is a relatively new phenomenon, but female dominance has always existed in some form or another. Even when the official narrative did not endorse it, women have always been strong. They worked in the shadows or exercised influence by dressing up as men, being saints, or a thousand other ways to get around the machine. Feminists are now working to shift the narrative and modify- same result, different approach.

Feminism


Feminism is not about blaming men but it is all about the equality of men and women in social economic and political arenas. Feminism believes for equality and opportunity. It is often misunderstood as a hostile movement. The dictionary defines feminism as “the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes”. Feminism does not deny the biological differences between sexes but it denies the superiority of genders. Feminism was coined by a French Philosopher and a utopian socialist, Charles Fourier in the year 1837. Women by feminist campaign achieved in owning their rights such as, right to vote, right to public property, right to employment, right for education etc. Feminism believes in a women’s right to sexual autonomy. It is not essentially a woman’s movement but a movement for all genders. TOO Movement is an organ of feminist movement. The ideology of feminism is a movement started in 19th century appealing for the rights on the grounds of equality of sexes. The notable feminists are Virginia Wolf, Emma Watson and Malala Yousufzai. The ideology of feminism varies and it has a vast spectrum of action. The kinds of feminism are:
Liberal Feminism: This focuses on women’s individuality and independence. Freedom is the key to development and this demands equality and liberty.
Radical Feminism: Radical feminism believes that male chauvinism is the major reason for the oppression of women. This is a part which arose from the civil liberties movement of 1967-68.
Marxist and Social Feminism: this incorporates and extends Marxist theory. This says women’s liberation can be achieved only when the capitalist system in which they contend much of women’s labor is uncompensated.
Cultural Feminism: this is the recent transformation of radical feminism. This is an attempt to create a change in society and it persuades to increase its acceptance.
Eco Feminism: Eco feminism believes that the exploitation of patriarchal resources is the best solution for women’s liberation which is more of spiritual ideology
The movement is distinctly divided into four waves and the first wave was the movement that led to the voting rights for women, the second wave is a civil liberty movement, then the third one focused on individuality which paved way for the black feminism and interracial feminism. This focused on individuality and personal liberty. The fourth and the most important recent movement is addressing on sexual harassment and rape cases. Feminism is a basic human right movement in today’s world.