Subverting Patriarchy: Feminist and Dalit Narratives in Dalvi’s Purush

Jaywant Dalvi’s play, Purush, is remarkably feminist and anti-caste, and it critiques the dominance of patriarchy, the oppression of the caste system, and power politics prevalent in Indian society. Through the character of Ambika, the protagonist of the play, it raises an interesting narrative of resistance against gendered violence and oppression. This paper analyzes Purush as a play exploring feminist assertion and Dalit consciousness. This paper will examine Purush in the framework of Dalit feminism with a focus on the critique of mainstream feminism by Sharmila Rege on the silencing of caste-based oppression in feminism. Purush’s representation of gender and caste-based violence in theatre has a resonance with women's experience in life and hence it is important in understanding the experience of layered oppression in Indian society. By contextualizing Purush within a broader discussion of women’s liberation and Dalit awakening, this paper asserts that the Dalvi drama remains a vital intervention within Indian theatrical culture. On one hand, the drama unmasks the ingrained inequities of Indian society, and on the other, articulates visions of how Dalits and women might resist and seek justice. This paper aims to reveal the significance of Purush for gender and caste justice within Indian society, through the analysis of feminist dramaturgies and politics of intersection, the significance will be revealed.