Published Paper Details:

Girish Karnad's Hayavadana is a landmark play in Indian drama that challenges traditional notions of identity, marriage, and gender roles. This paper explores the theme of revolt against societal expectations of marriage through the character of Padmini, who embodies a feministic voice in the play. Unlike conventional portrayals of passive and sacrificial wives in Indian literature, Padmini asserts her desires and refuses to be confined by rigid marital norms. Her fascination with both Devadatta's intellect and Kapila's physicality symbolizes the inherent conflict between societal expectations and individual aspirations. Karnad critiques the institution of marriage as an inadequate construct that often fails to accommodate human complexity. Through a close comparison with the protagonists Nora and Tara, and also through her contrast with Shakuntala and Seeta, the study highlights how Padmini's character resonates with broader feminist discourses. The recurring motif of incompleteness in Hayavadana further underscores the limitations of traditional social structures. By analysing Karnad's use of mythology, folklore, and modern sensibilities, this paper establishes Hayavadana as a significant feminist text that redefines the agency of women in literature.