Gendered Politics: A Feminist Interpretation of Vijay Tendulkar’s Ghashiram Kotwal

The proposed paper is primarily based on Marathi play Ghashiram Kotwal by first generation post-independence playwright Vijay Tendulkar. The aim is to explore the gender dynamics and analyse how the development in female characters reflects the challenges faced by women in asserting their identities in a patriarchal society. Set against the backdrop of Pune during the Peshwa rule, it focusses on the female characters of the play who undergo oppression and exploitation in a power-driven society.

In 21^st century, women excel in the fields that were previously beyond their reach. The feminist movement, which began in the 19th century, emphasized not only gender equality but also issues like equal pay, reproductive rights, sexuality awareness, and the empowerment of marginalized women. In India, feminism has similarly aimed at securing socio-political and economic rights for women. Despite India's independence, women have continued to face societal constraints, including domestic violence and gender stereotypes and caught in the web of power and politics. The playwright attempts to shed light on the continued injustices caused due to gender disparities and power. In this paper, we intend to include the feminist study of the play and interpret the broader implications of their stories to understand the role of women in contemporary society.

Keywords: Power, Gender, Oppression, Politics, Drama