FEMINISM IN THE NOVELS OF SUDHA MURTY WITH REFERENCE TO 'MAHASWETA' and 'GENTLY FALLS THE BAKULA'

Abstract

The present study explores feminism in the novels Mahasweta and Gently Falls the Bakula by
Sudha Murty. The research focuses on the portrayal of women’s struggles, identity, emotional
suffering, and self-realization within the patriarchal structure of Indian society. Through the
characters of Anupama and Shrimati, Sudha Murty highlights issues such as gender
discrimination, emotional neglect, social prejudice, and unequal marital relationships. The study
adopts a qualitative and analytical approach based on secondary data collected from books,
journals, articles, and literary reviews. A comparative analysis of the selected novels reveals that
education, self-confidence, and emotional strength help women overcome oppression and attain
independence. Sudha Murty’s feminist perspective emphasizes dignity, self-respect, and
individuality rather than direct rebellion against tradition. The study concludes that her novels
significantly contribute to feminist discourse in Indian English literature by presenting realistic
experiences of middle-class Indian women.