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THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS–
CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI
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| THE FIRE |
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WHO IS Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni ?💭
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Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
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Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (born Chitralekha Banerjee, July 29, 1956) was born in Kolkata, India. She is an Indian-American award-winning author and poet. Her themes include the Indian experience, contemporary America, women, immigration, history, myth, and the joys and challenges of living in a multicultural world. She has published in over 50 magazines, including the Atlantic Monthly and The New Yorker, and her writing has been included in over 50 anthologies.Divakaruni also writes for children and young adults and has published novels in multiple genres, including realistic fiction, historical fiction, magical realism, myth and fantasy.
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WHAT IS THE BOOK ABOUT ?📖
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| THE PALACE OF ILLUSION |
A mythic tale which is unique, creative and an illuminating
feminist work that breathed new life into female characters in a male-centered
story. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s The
Palace of Illusions published in 2008 is a novel retelling of the ancient
Hindu epic The Mahabharata from the
perspective of Draupadi. The novel traces the princess Panchaali’s life.
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HOW IS THE BOOK UNIQUE?💫
The opening chapters present Draupadi's
obsession with her origin and introduces her rebellious character as well as her
struggle for a female identity. In an instance, lack of self-identity was
revealed when the tutor was teaching lessons on Kshatriya dharma to Dhri
(brother of Panchaali) and Draupadi was discouraged from attending the classes
which was meant only for man. She was given lessons in singing, dancing and
playing music so, that she could get the attraction of her husband over the
other wives. Though Draupadi was victimized in several instances she was
determined to continue her lessons in some way or other.
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“And so I
refused to give up the lessons, no matter who disapproved.” (The Palace of Illusions, 24). She also
expresses her dismayed thought of the tutor when he said about the '' women who
are the path to ruin'' (The Palace of
Illusions, 24), Draupadi says "I resented the tutor's declaration that
women were the root of all the world's trouble" (The Palace of Illusions, 24). In her own house, Draupadi's voice of
protest, willingness to learn Nyaya Shastra, taking part in armor activities
and even her right to choose her better- half were strongly opposed. Despite facing the problems and hindrances in her life
and being subjugated, Draupadi is able to stay bold in her decisions and her
acts. It is evident when Draupadi takes a vow holding her long hair after
vastraharan, “I will not comb it, until the day I bathe it in Kaurava blood.” (The Palace of Illusions, 194)
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WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT ?🤔
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| self defense |
The
women in The Mahabharata have been
treated as slaves, property, chattel and commodities used for the pleasure of
men. The key characteristics of women are seen as submission, suppression,
obedience and silence. They are tools of male ambition. Woman like Draupadi
stand out opposing the injustice of the male world.
📽️👉#PLIGHT OF WOMEN👈📽️
Despite
laws being in place, women continue to be subjected to violence, exploitation,
harassment and victimized in this patriarchal society. There has not been much
evolution from the age of the Mahabharata to present-day society. The plight of
the women in the 21st century is not different from that of the
women in ancient times though only some Panchaalis have overcome the
victimization in present era. so, in order to overcome these discrimination and victimization, women must be aware about the laws for their welfare, they should be able to defense for their safety, learn to act independently and be a real fire which can be devoted as well as can play the role of destructor.
