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Reclaiming Shakti: Women’s Empowerment, Representation, and Resistance in Indian Cultural, Literary, and Socio-Political Discourse
No full textThe present article interrogates the evolving status of women in Indian society through a multidimensional lens encompassing mythology, history, literature, cinema, and policy interventions. Drawing on cultural archetypes of the divine feminine, the article traces women’s representation from the Vedic age to the postmodern period, emphasizing both reverence and restriction in traditional narratives. It critically engages with religious texts, social reforms, and historical shifts—including colonial modernity, legislative frameworks, and feminist movements—that have shaped women’s rights and roles. The article explores themes of widowhood, domestic violence, education, and female agency within contemporary contexts. Parallelly, it analyzes cinematic shifts from male-centric portrayals to narratives driven by female subjectivity and resistance, as seen in films like Queen, Thappad, and Lipstick Under My Burkha. Recent policy interventions such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Mahila E-Haat, and the One Stop Centre scheme are critically evaluated for their impact on women’s empowerment. By synthesizing cultural, legislative, and representational discourses, this study asserts that while significant strides have been made, entrenched patriarchal norms continue to hinder women’s full realization of equality and agency. The article calls for sustained academic, legal, and cultural engagement to advance an inclusive and equitable society
Re-reading Holocaust through the Lens of Jewish Poetry
No full textThe history of mankind is replete with wars across centuries. A country may win or face defeat, but the environment, not an active participant in the gory war, is always a loser at the end. Besides, human and infrastructural loss, war brings great loss to the environment and ecology. The destruction of ecology and nature represents a threat to the human race. The Holocaust, which took place between 1941 and 1945, was a human catastrophe, an evil committed against humanity in world history. Moving beyond human catastrophe, the connection with the ecological crisis is also traumatic. Against this background, the present paper focuses on the Holocaust poems of three Holocaust poets: Pavel Friedmann’s poem “The Butterfly,” Elie Wiesel’s poem “Never Shall I Forget,” and Eva Pickova’s poem “Fear,” are textually analysed to showcase that the Nazi regime not only tortured and killed the Jews but also brought about barbarianism among others, that is Roma (Gypsies), disabled people, political opponents, homosexuals, Jehovah’s witnesses, etc., who suffered in different concentration camps
Indian Comics: From Making History to Becoming History
No full textIf one thinks of superhero comics today, one instantly thinks of Marvel and DC. For the past century these two American comics publishers have successfully established themselves all around the world however, in the late 80s and early 90s this was not the case. There were Indian comics publishers like Diamond comics, Raj comics and Tulsi comics which are credited for creating some iconic Indian superheroes and characters like Nagraj, Chacha Chaudhary, Angara etc. Many millennials have grown up reading these comics. From the 1980s to 1990s, Indian comics industry was at the zenith of its success. Indian comics once used to be an addictive craze for school-going children according to the data collected around its heydays. This industry successfully sold over five lakh copies during the course of its shelf life of several weeks. However, with digitalisation and other factors like lack of competition and technological updation, focusing more on quantity, lack of planning to cope up with changing readership and media came a period which was so detrimental for Indian comics that more than 50 publications were shut down. This paper seeks to critically analyse the possible reasons behind the demise of Indian comics industry with a historical perspective
Macbeth Re-imagined on Screen: The Cinematic Adaption of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth in the 2021 Movie
Get PDFShakespeare’s plays have been adapted for as long as there have been plays by Shakespeare. Throughout several centuries, the literary works produced by this writer have consistently held a prominent position within the realm of academic studies. Moreover, these works have inspired numerous adaptations and imitations across various mediums, garnering significant attention from the general public and scholars alike. The results of William Shakespeare have garnered considerable popularity, leading to extensive scholarly discourse, including a wide range of subjects. These talks span from analyzing the overarching themes in his plays to examining the value of specific lines uttered by the characters. Furthermore, these scholarly conversations have extended into the domain of Shakespeare adaptations. The current investigation centers on the film The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021), an American rendition of Shakespeare’s renowned tragedy Macbeth (1606). The works of William Shakespeare have been rendered into movie adaptations in numerous cultures worldwide. These adaptations prioritize various facets of the original texts and generate new films, occasionally incorporating Shakespearean characteristics. While the plots, locales, and dates of Shakespeare’s dramas may vary, they effectively broaden the accessibility of his works to diverse audiences across various cultural contexts. However, the film draws connections between the situations and events in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth with a distinct and innovative approach characterized by a predominantly black screen. Similar to the theatrical works of Shakespeare, these films possess qualities that need critical analysis. A comprehensive examination of these adaptations, in connection to the original literary works, has the potential to unveil numerous novel critical views
The Tebhaga Movement: Peasant Resistance, Agrarian Change and Literary Memory in Bengal
Get PDFSocial movements have historically emerged as a response to systemic exploitation and institutional neglect, particularly in agrarian societies where the peasantry often bears the brunt of socio-economic oppression. The Tebhaga Movement, which arose in Bengal in the mid-1940s, was a significant episode of resistance against feudal exploitation, led by sharecroppers demanding a larger share of the produce they cultivated. This paper explores the Tebhaga Movement as a pivotal moment in Bengal’s agrarian history that symbolized both resistance and transformation. Drawing on social movement theory, particularly the insights of della Porta and Diani, and agrarian studies by scholars like Singha Roy, the paper contextualizes the movement within broader patterns of rural dissatisfaction and class conflict. Furthermore, the study examines the role of literature in reflecting and shaping collective memory. The Bengali short story Jonk by Abu Ishak is analyzed to illustrate how literature captures the lived experiences of marginalized peasants, the cruelty of the zamindari system, and the growing class consciousness that fueled the Tebhaga uprising. Through this interdisciplinary approach, the paper highlights how literature not only documents history but also acts as a catalyst for social awareness and change
The Colonial Spectacle: Sara Baartman and the Commodification of Black Bodies
Get PDFThe body has always been used as a way of cultural expression and social scrutiny. In the case of marginalised groups like black women, their bodies do carry added significance because of slavery, colonial and sexual oppression, and exploitation. The narratives around their bodies have been based on stereotypes and blatant racism. Their bodies have been commodified and fetishised for their ‘exotic’ features. They have been hypersexualized, characterized as deviant, and racially oppressed. This perpetuated a narrow view of what Black womanhood and sexuality meant. Black women’s relationship with their own bodies is deeply intertwined with the dynamics of power, resistance, and oppression. At the heart of this hypersexualized black womanhood lies the story of Sara Baartman or Hottentot Venus. By shedding light on her story, this article seeks to explore the complexities of Black womanhood and sexuality, their historical roots, and their contemporary manifestations
Beyond the Earthly Chariot: Shelley’s Journey from Passion to Spiritual Love
Get PDFPercy Bysshe Shelley’s exploration of love spans his poetic works, revealing a profound evolution from personal passion to a universal force of redemption and liberation. This paper delves into Shelley’s philosophical journey as depicted in his major works, examining the themes of bondage and freedom in “The Triumph of Life” alongside the transformative power of love in “Prometheus Unbound.” Shelley’s examination of the Promethean legend serves as a backdrop for his exploration of love’s evolving nature. From its initial portrayal as a personal deity in “Epipsychidion” to its broader significance as a universal principle in “Adonais,” love emerges as a redemptive force, transcending individual desires to encompass humanity’s collective aspirations. In “Prometheus Unbound,” Shelley presents love as a heroic vision of rebellion against tyranny, symbolizing wisdom, justice, and peace in the face of oppression. Through meticulous analysis of symbolism and action, the paper illuminates Shelley’s profound insight into the transformative potential of love, culminating in the triumph of love over adversity. “The Triumph of Life” offers a more symbolic view of love, contrasting earthly passion with a spiritual love that grants liberation from the limitations of the material world. Shelley suggests that love, in its purest form, holds the key to individual and societal transformation, offering solace in suffering and rebellion against oppression. In conclusion, Shelley’s concept of love evolves from personal indulgence to mature, symbolic representation, emphasizing its role in individual salvation and societal renewal. The enduring message of Shelley’s works underscores the transformative power of love as a force for redemption and liberation
Is Pahela Baishakh a Popular Culture or Capitalist Culture in Bangladesh? A Comparative Study
Get PDFThis paper explores the various forms and styles of Pahela Baishakh celebrations among different socioeconomic classes in both rural and urban areas of Bangladesh, investigating whether it is an expression of popular culture or capitalist culture. Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year, positions out as the most old-style and protruding cultural carnival in Bangladesh. According to Ahmed (2007a), Pahela Baishakh is the “biggest cultural festival of the Bengalis” and represents a “dynamic manifestation of popular culture in the urban context, and it is a living tradition of great significance” (p. 521). Although it is not a religious festival, it is widely embraced and celebrated by the majority. “To every Bengali, irrespective of age, social strata, and education, Pahela Baishakh is a momentous occasion” (Ahmed, 2007a, p. 521). A key feature of Pahela Baishakh is its nature as a common and social carnival. “Such a festival, which is not based on religion but still universal, is rare in the world” (Mamoon, 2014, para. 38). Pahela Baishakh aids as a medium for indorsing Bengali cultural individuality (Kratoska, Raben, and Nordholt, 2005; as cited in Shabnam, Ramkissoon, & Choudhury, 2019). The tradition is so deeply rooted in Bengali life that even the diaspora celebrates it in a similar fashion abroad (Alexander, 2019). There are notable differences in the celebration of Pahela Baishakh today. While the elite often celebrate it corporately, common people continue to observe it in their traditional ways. This study employs cultural and anthropological theories, along with a qualitative approach that involves analyzing and interpreting texts and events, to explore these differences
The Quiet Strength: Exploring Femininity in Lahiri’s Literary Gaps
Get PDFThe present research paper focuses on the compelling form and figure of femininity articulated throughout Lahiri’s diverse literary repertoire. Lahiri tells stories usually referred to as narratives of identity, migration and double loyalties that deepen the understanding of the lives of South Asian women. Interestingly, the study exposes a powerful silence amid Lahiri’s women while reading between the lines of these gaps in writing— the silences and omissions— untold stories, silently commanders even if they seem not to know it: an image emerges as Lahiri simultaneously deconstructs probably all that is known about femininity and make firm recusal against patriarchy. Through close readings informed by feminist literary theory and postcolonial discourse, it argues that Lahiri’s women are active agents interacting with multiple levels of inequality related to gender, race and class. An honest effort has been made to contribute not only to scholarship on Lahiri’s writing but more broadly to literary theory related to all contests that bridge race with autonomy from mainstream views. The article also celebrates Lahiri’s part in growing the ranks of South Asian women writers
Gaze and Glamour: Analyzing Commercial Advertisements through Laura Mulvey’s Lens
Get PDFThe present research paper attempts to investigate the impact of body image and skin tone in selected commercial advertisements, utilizing Laura Mulvey’s theory of visual pleasure as a theoretical framework. Applying Mulvey’s theory, the paper aims to reveal that advertisements frequently employ sexualized images of women, catering to the male gaze and perpetuating traditional gender roles where men are portrayed as active agents and women as passive objects. This dynamic reinforces harmful stereotypes and influences consumer behavior, as the allure of these images often leads to unrealistic standards of beauty that individuals strive to attain. The paper attempts to validate the hypothesis: there is a significant relationship between perceptions of body image and skin tone having underlying societal power dynamics, with advertisements acting as a primary vehicle for the reinforcement of patriarchal ideals. The present research also tries to explore how commercial advertisements not only shape societal perceptions of beauty but also contribute to physical, mental, and social harm. These perceptions are dominated by patriarchal norms that often dictate strict standards of attractiveness, leading to discrimination against individuals who do not conform. The methodology adopted is qualitative one that allows for a deep exploration of the impact of advertising on social norms, particularly in terms of body and skin tone. This methodology combines multiple qualitative techniques such as content, thematic, discourse, and semiotic analysis highlighting the pervasive influence of patriarchal beauty norms in Indian society. The paper tries to delve deeply into the implications of body image and skin tone representations in both Indian and international contexts, critiquing how commercial advertising perpetuates patriarchal notions of beauty. The research aims to shed light on the harmful consequences of these representations. Ultimately, the paper tries to investigate the portrayal of beauty in media that challenges existing power structures and promotes healthier body image perceptions