INTERSACTIONALITY OF GENDER, CASTE AND CLASS IN THE PLAYS OF MAHESH DATTANI
Sr No:
Page No:
68-72
Language:
English
Authors:
Vishnu Barman* , Dr. Hemant Gahlot
Received:
2025-04-20
Accepted:
2025-05-07
Published Date:
2025-05-10
Abstract:
The plays of Mahesh Dattani, who is widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed
modern playwrights in India, feature intricately woven themes of gender, caste, and class. These
themes bring to light the deeply ingrained socio-cultural inequalities that exist within Indian
culture. The difficulties of marginalized populations are investigated in his writings, with a
special emphasis placed on the intersectionality of intersecting identities and the compounding
effect that these identities have on individuals. The purpose of this research is to investigate the
manner in which Dattani depicts the intertwining of gender oppression with caste and class
discrimination in plays such as Tara, Final Solutions, and Seven Steps Around the Fire and how
he does it. Dattani reveals the structural prejudices that govern the lives of women, transgender
people, and characters from lower castes through the subtle characterization and realistic tales
that he employs in his writing. His plays provide a voice to those who have been silenced by
giving them the opportunity to challenge patriarchal conventions, examine rigid caste
structures, and critique socio-economic injustices. The purpose of this article is to investigate
the ways in which Dattani's characters negotiate their numerous marginalized identities and the
ways in which social power systems promote discrimination. This is accomplished via the
utilization of an intersectional framework. The investigation highlights the relevance of his play
in promoting social consciousness and fighting for a society that is more accepting of people of
all backgrounds.
Keywords:
Mahesh Dattani, intersectionality, gender, caste, class, Indian theatre, social hierarchy.