Volume III Special Issue IV April 2023

Name of Author : Dr. Shahzad Ahmad

Title of the paper : Issues and Challenges of the Subaltern in Mahesh Dattanis Seven Steps Around the Fire

Abstract: In South Asia, Ranajit Guha is regarded as the father of subaltern studies. It was Gayatri Chakravarty Spivak who gave this term great popularity by including working class, blacks and women in the subaltern group. In the history of Indian Writing in English Mahesh Dattani became the first writer who puts hijaras in the family of the subaltern. In fact, he shows great courage by giving a central place in the mainstream to the sexually marginalized community of the third genders in his famous play Seven Steps Around the Fire. To Dattani this world seems to be a Waste Land where a sexually handicapped cannot enjoy the zest of life. They have to do great struggle for their social identity and existence. Munswamys cruel behavior with Anarkali in prison is a clear proof that even the guardians of law become perpetrators of crime against them. Uma Rao is deeply moved by the sight of the pathetic condition of Anarkali in jail. Kamlass murder just to avoid the scandal of Subbus secret wedding with a eunuch is clear evident of brutality and violence with the hijaras. It is worth noting that Uma Rao too is a strung member of the subaltern family in case we compare her life to that of her husbands.

Keywords : Brutality, Community, Perpetrators, Exploited, Underprivileged

DOI :

Page Number : 49-52