The Dakini Myth and Gendered Violence: An Intersectional Analysis of Fear and Power in Folklore

This paper aims to explore the intersection of gender-based violence (GBV) and mythology through K. Hari Kumar’s novel “Dakini,” where folklore and societal fears shape violent gender dynamics in a rural Indian village. “Dakini” follows journalist, Mamta, as she uncovers the myth of a bloodthirsty ‘dakini’—a supernatural figure fueling community mistrust and violence against women. This analysis examines how the dakini myth symbolizes patriarchal fears of femininity, portraying women as both symbols of danger and targets of exclusion.

With the interdisciplinary lens, while integrating feminist theory, cultural studies and intersectionality, this paper explores how the figure of the dakini reflects and sustains GBV by embedding fear and control within folklore. “Dakini” helps illuminates how literature can serve both as a mirror of cultural biases and a site of resistance against gender oppression, broadening our understanding of GBV’s socio-cultural roots.

Keywords: Gender-based violence, intersectionality, mythology, patriarchy, literature