THE SOCIAL EXCLUSION AND INCLUSION OF SHAKUNTALA: EFFECT OF FEMINISM IN ABHIGYANSHAKUNTALAM BY KALIDAS

Abstract

This article examines the theme of social exclusion and inclusion of Shakuntala, the protagonist in the play "Abhigyanshakuntalam" by Kalidas, with a focus on the effect of feminism. The play portrays Shakuntala's experiences within a patriarchal society, highlighting the challenges she faces due to her gender and social position. However, feminist interpretations of Shakuntala's character provide insights into her agency, resilience, and self-empowerment, ultimately leading to her inclusion in society. The researcher has tried to dig upon the concept of eco-feminism seen in the play by depicting the close relationship between women and nature. Kalidasa’s Abhijnanashakuntalam underscores the patriarchal structure based on dualisms like men/woman, masculine/ feminine, culture/ nature, and spiritual/material, which destabilizes the system based on the hierarchy of the traditional gender roles. Qualitative analysis has been done by assessing eco-feminist theory as a method of study. It is found that the heroine of the play Shakuntala has been presented as a nature’s child as shown her relation with plants, peacocks and deer. It is also the projection on, how the identity, status and destiny of women remain intertwined with those of nature globally as far as their impoverishment, exploitation, marginalization, abrogation, depletion, commoditization and subjugation are concerned. Kalidasa has tried to depict interdependence of two elements; nature and human emotions which has been discussed in this paper.