Volume : 9, Issue : 12, DEC 2023

FEMININE RECLAMATION IN MYTHOLOGY: KAVITA KANE'S NARRATIVE SUBVERSIONS

DR. SHASHANK GUPTA

Abstract

Kavita Kane’s novels redefine the portrayal of women in Indian mythology, presenting them as complex individuals with agency, intelligence, and resilience. Moving beyond traditional patriarchal interpretations, Kane delves into the inner lives of characters like Satyavati (The Fisher Queen's Dynasty), Shurpanakha (Lanka's Princess), and Menaka (Menaka’s Choice), reclaiming their narratives from their often reductive portrayals in classical texts. This paper examines how Kane subverts entrenched gender norms, portraying women not merely as supporting characters in male-dominated epics but as protagonists who challenge societal constraints and assert their individuality.

The study focuses on Kane’s use of mythopoeic revisionism to question and dismantle patriarchal stereotypes. For instance, Satyavati’s ambition and strategic use of power are reinterpreted as signs of resilience rather than manipulation, while Shurpanakha is transformed from a one-dimensional antagonist into a sympathetic figure whose choices stem from personal loss and societal rejection. Similarly, Menaka’s character, often reduced to a seductress, is portrayed as a devoted partner and mother, torn between love and duty.

Through these narrative subversions, Kane reclaims the feminine voice in mythology, offering nuanced explorations of agency, ambition, and emotional depth. This paper highlights how Kane’s work contributes to contemporary feminist discourses by challenging the cultural myths that perpetuate gendered oppression. In doing so, her novels invite readers to view mythology as a living tradition, capable of evolving to reflect modern values of equality and justice.

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Article No : 13

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References

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