Redefining Femininity in Modern Indian Theatre
The male and the female are not seen as exclusive entities, separated into watertight compartments, in Indian metaphysical thought. If feminism can be described as an aspect of humanism to sensitise both men and women to come out of the orientations resting on exploitative forms of existence, then A...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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IATC
2010-09-01
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| Series: | Critical Stages |
| Online Access: | https://www.critical-stages.org/3/redefining-femininity-in-modern-indian-theatre/ |
| _version_ | 1798016311576494080 |
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| author | Ravinder Kaul |
| author_facet | Ravinder Kaul |
| author_sort | Ravinder Kaul |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The male and the female are not seen as exclusive entities, separated into watertight compartments, in Indian metaphysical thought. If feminism can be described as an aspect of humanism to sensitise both men and women to come out of the orientations resting on exploitative forms of existence, then Ardhanarishwara (the lord who is half woman and half man) is its finest manifestation. Early Indian history has been a period of equality of sexes and celebration of femininity. However, 1,000 years of Muslim and later British rule changed this position drastically, and women were hidden behind a repressive purdah, or veil,and their freedom and rights were curtailed. Later, the participation of many woman leaders of great stature in India’s struggle for independence were reflected in the theatre that evolved in the post-independence India. The contrast in modern Indian theatre as against western theatre is manifest in the manner in which the powerful and highly individualistic female characters in Indian plays are comfortable with their femininity while in western plays woman characters are compelled to attain male characteristics in order to exert their influence in the society. Modern theatre in India is in some ways craving to restore the ages old position of women in Indian society where they could not only enjoy but also celebrate their femininity and not feel compelled to be apologetic about it. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T15:48:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-203d413288994ecd83c975d1c5a42ff0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2409-7411 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T15:48:51Z |
| publishDate | 2010-09-01 |
| publisher | IATC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Critical Stages |
| spelling | doaj.art-203d413288994ecd83c975d1c5a42ff02022-12-22T04:15:26ZengIATCCritical Stages2409-74112010-09-013Redefining Femininity in Modern Indian TheatreRavinder KaulThe male and the female are not seen as exclusive entities, separated into watertight compartments, in Indian metaphysical thought. If feminism can be described as an aspect of humanism to sensitise both men and women to come out of the orientations resting on exploitative forms of existence, then Ardhanarishwara (the lord who is half woman and half man) is its finest manifestation. Early Indian history has been a period of equality of sexes and celebration of femininity. However, 1,000 years of Muslim and later British rule changed this position drastically, and women were hidden behind a repressive purdah, or veil,and their freedom and rights were curtailed. Later, the participation of many woman leaders of great stature in India’s struggle for independence were reflected in the theatre that evolved in the post-independence India. The contrast in modern Indian theatre as against western theatre is manifest in the manner in which the powerful and highly individualistic female characters in Indian plays are comfortable with their femininity while in western plays woman characters are compelled to attain male characteristics in order to exert their influence in the society. Modern theatre in India is in some ways craving to restore the ages old position of women in Indian society where they could not only enjoy but also celebrate their femininity and not feel compelled to be apologetic about it.https://www.critical-stages.org/3/redefining-femininity-in-modern-indian-theatre/ |
| spellingShingle | Ravinder Kaul Redefining Femininity in Modern Indian Theatre Critical Stages |
| title | Redefining Femininity in Modern Indian Theatre |
| title_full | Redefining Femininity in Modern Indian Theatre |
| title_fullStr | Redefining Femininity in Modern Indian Theatre |
| title_full_unstemmed | Redefining Femininity in Modern Indian Theatre |
| title_short | Redefining Femininity in Modern Indian Theatre |
| title_sort | redefining femininity in modern indian theatre |
| url | https://www.critical-stages.org/3/redefining-femininity-in-modern-indian-theatre/ |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ravinderkaul redefiningfemininityinmodernindiantheatre |