Draupadi as a Symbol of Subaltern Defiance

Mahasweta Devi: A Champion for the 'Untouchables' Mahasweta Devi, the esteemed Bengali writer, is deeply disturbed by the degrading treatment inflicted upon the lower castes, especially women, and is a staunch advocate for the 'untouchables'. She is horrified by the political tactics that aim to crush the spirits of those fighting for freedom from oppression based on their caste and clan. In response, she undertakes a profound project to unveil the shocking realities that lie behind the socioeconomic and political iron curtains. Her powerful work, Draupadi , serves as a poignant testament to violence and resistance, narrating the story of a poor, illiterate tribal woman's unwavering defiance, refusing to even clothe herself, as she confronts the grotesque face of political repression from the government, bureaucrats, feudal masters, and state-sponsored criminals. This narrative also challenges the callous post-colonial state embodied in the figure of Senanayak. Dra…