Sudha Murthy’s Yoddha Nayaks: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Comparative Literature offers a unique opportunity within contemporary academic practices to explore texts and ideas across barriers of language, temporality and discipline. In English literature, with the help of Comparative literature, we can compare two or more works in different perspectives and wide range of future study. The present study aims at comparing the three strong women protagonists in Sudha Murthy’s novels- Mahasweta (2000), Dollar Bahu (2006) and Gently Falls the Bakula (2008). The three protagonists- Anupama, Gouramma and Shrimati represent many common women in modern times and society. In Sudha Murthy’s Mahashweta, Anupama is a perceptive woman who can see right through the selfserving intentions of a society where men predominate. Anupama, with her selfconfidence and bold attitude towards patriarchy, raised a powerful voice of protest against patriarchal dominance. In Sudha Murthy’s Dollar Bahu, Gouramma (Chandru ‘s mother), has trouble in coping with  and handling the societal stress resulting in the fear of unacceptance. Gouramma is in a desperate need for acceptance in the elite circle. When this aspiration does not get met, it pops up as anxiety, anger etc. and Vinuta becomes her soft target and wields control over her. In Gently Falls Bakula, Sudha deftly portrays the modern women, who always are ready to become sacrificial goals by claiming their roles as successful wives, submissive life partners, victims of societal expectations in the garb of marriage wedlock. But Shrimati breaks the shackles and takes a harsh decision and realizes the urge and opportunity to fulfil her long cherished dream of pursuing higher study, which she had sacrificed at the altar of her husband’s career and marriage. Sudha Murthy tries to reflect the rich formative literary and spiritual instincts of woman personality through her novels. She also stresses on the transitory nature of physical beauty whereas emphasizes on womanish indomitable courageous spirit. She tries to spread the message of the women to recognize the tremendous force of  her inner source of fountain of the heart and soul.