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This volume includes a play by N. Srikantan Nair and five short stories by Sara Joseph based on the Ramayana. These modern works reinterpret the epic from a radically different perspective--that of women and Dalits.
These narratives challenge the traditional moral framework of the Ramayana by centering the experiences of those marginalized within the original epic. The authors utilize the structure of a play and a series of short stories to dismantle established heroic archetypes, forcing a confrontation between ancient myth and contemporary social realities. By shifting the narrative focus to women and Dalit perspectives, the text exposes the inherent power imbalances and systemic exclusions present in the classical source material. The work operates as a critical dialogue between historical tradition and modern socio-political critique.
Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the authors in reclaiming mythological space for voices traditionally silenced in the epic. Readers frequently highlight the stark contrast between the idealized versions of the characters and the grounded, often painful, realities presented in these reinterpretations. Critics note that the pacing varies between the dramatic intensity of the play and the reflective, character-driven nature of the short stories. The work is widely regarded as a significant contribution to post-colonial Indian literature that encourages a critical re-reading of foundational texts. Many readers appreciate the balance between honoring the cultural significance of the Ramayana and providing a necessary, radical critique of its patriarchal and hierarchical structures.
Page Count:
208
Publication Date:
2005-09-29
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0195666232
ISBN-13:
9780195666236
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