Patriarchal Dominance: Projection of Gender Biasness in Mahesh Dattani’s Tara

Abstract

It is considered that Indian society has basically been patriarchal in nature. The male members of the family (grandfather, father or son) act as the chief agents of patriarchy and hold the dominant position within the family unit. In Manusmiriti, Manu states: “A girl, a young woman, or even an old woman should not do anything independently, even in (her own) house. In childhood a woman should be under her father's control, in youth under her husband's, and when her husband is dead, under her sons”(12). However this text was written centuries ago, it still seems to affect the lives of contemporary women. Similarly, numerous ancient dramatic and epic texts, in keeping with Manu's principles glorified the father figures. These texts promote the patriarchal culture through the portrayal of strong male figures. Such texts depict women as dependent on the male members of the family. Ironically, even today, patriarchal dominance is quite visible in the Indian society. Parents think their daughter as an outsider as one day she would be married and would live with her husband. They have superstitious and mythical beliefs of being ultimately emancipated at the hands of their son. The plays of Mahesh Dattani highlight the above mentioned concepts time and again. The present paper brings to light the theme of patriarchal dominance or gender discrimination in Dattani’s play Tara. The issue of discrimination with women has been comprehensively dealt by Dattani in this play. It shows how female is subjugated by patriarchal society. It also points out that female is treated only as a care taker for household chores, children, husband, other domestic requirements. The preference of a boy child over a girl child forms the infrastructure of the play. In a way, Dattani’s drama showcases the stark reality of life. It also attempts to draw the attention of the world towards the pressing needs of the time.