Representations of Gender and Class in Contemporary Indian Theatre and Film

Abstract

Indian society is deeply rooted in various hierarchies of power, according to which the social groups are ranked. The most dominant of these are Class and Gender. In the present study, the selected playwrights and filmmakers have used the media of theatre and cinema respectively to satirize oppressive/hegemonic structures in support of the oppressed groups. newlineIn 1979, Tripurari Sharma wrote the play Daughter-in-law, which probes into the psyche of a daughter-in-law who is restrained by the rules but strives for freedom. Vijay Tendulkar in Kamala (1981) has spoken about the flesh trade marketing in India. Through the character of Kamala, Tendulkar presents a naïve woman of lower strata who falls victim to a corrupt and oppressive system. In Lights Out (1984) Padmanabhan throws light on one of India s most disturbing realities- sexual violence. In the play, the victim is exposed to rape because she is powerless and incapable of defending herself. Mahesh Dattani in his play Tara (1990) questions the age-old tradition of patriarchy in India wherein preference is given to the male child in the family. newlineIn 1996, Deepa Mehta s film Fire, created uproar. Fire is the story of two women, Sita and Radha who in a repressive atmosphere find physical and emotional solace in each other. Nagesh Kukunoor s Dor (2006) focuses on a strong willed woman named Zeenat who helps in Meera s emancipation and liberates her from the clutches of orthodox beliefs and the injustices of the class system. Shoojit Sircar s Pink (2016) is about the importance of a woman s consent and respecting the choices she makes in life. In films the bold women characters are Mehta s Sita, Kukunoor s Zeenat and Sircar s Minal. These women characters boldly oppose the hierarchy of gender and class and even fight for justice. newlineWith the use of powerful theatrical and cinematic techniques, it can be seen that the two media leave a stronger impact on the audience. The study reveals that gender and class are so intricately woven into the social fabric, that to separate them to build a society based on principles of equality and justice is no easy task. These playwrights and filmmakers however make an effort to bring about social consciousness through their powerful works. newline newline