THE UNSEEN WOUNDS: GENDER DISCRIMINATION AND EMOTIONAL
TRAUMA IN TARA
K.Logapriya,
Assistant Professor of English,
Adhiyaman
Arts and Science College for Women,
Uthangarai,
&
S. Suganya,
Assistant Professor of English,
Adhiyaman
Arts and Science College for Women,
Uthangarai,
Abstract:
Tara, by Mahesh Dattani, is a powerful play about how
gender prejudice affects people’s lives and creates terrible emotional
suffering. The plot goes around around Tara and Chandan, conjoined twins who
are separated but have distinct lifestyles due to society’s preference for boys. This study investigates Tara’s experience with unfair treatment from her own family
and society, which results in invisible emotional wounds that have a profound
impact on her. It also explores Chandan’s shame and struggles with his
history. This study examines their experiences to show the long-term impact of
gender inequality and emotional trauma. The play emphasizes the importance of a
fair society in which both boys and girls are valued equally.
Keywords: Powerful, Discrimination, Conjoined, Emotional, Gender, Equality
Introduction
Tara, by Mahesh Dattani, is a powerful
play about how gender prejudice affects people’s lives and creates terrible emotional
suffering. The plot goes around around Tara and Chandan, conjoined twins who
are separated but have distinct lifestyles due to society’s preference
for boys. This study investigates Tara’s experience with unfair treatment
from her own family and society, which results in invisible emotional wounds
that have a profound impact on her. It also explores Chandan’s shame and
struggles with his history. This study examines their experiences to show the
long-term impact of gender inequality and emotional trauma. The play emphasizes
the importance of a fair society in which both boys and girls are valued
equally.
Tara centre on the emotional separation that grows between two twins
following the discovery that their physical separation is manipulated by their
mother and grandfather to favour the boy Chandan. Tara is a strong, intelligent
and sensible girl who lives her life with positive attitude. She remains bold
when a person like Roopa makes fun of her and her brother. Tara knows how to
fight and live in this society. Asha Kuthari Chaudhuri is a contemporary writer
who has studied the work of Mahesh Dattani and explored the central themes and
dramaturgical innovation of Dattani.
Mahesh Dattani’s play Tara is a touching story that explores gender bias and the
emotional pain it causes. The play follows the lives of Tara and Chandan,
conjoined twins who are separated through surgery. Their story shows how
deep-rooted gender discrimination in families and society can leave lasting
emotional scars. This paper looks at themes like gender inequality, emotional
trauma, and societal expectations in Tara, showing
how these factors shape the characters’ lives.
Gender Discrimination in Tara’s Life
From the very beginning, Tara faces unfair treatment
because she is a girl. Even her own family is part of this bias. A major
example is when her parents choose to give Chandan an extra leg during surgery,
even though Tara might have benefitted more from it. This decision reflects
society’s preference for boys over girls.
Tara’s father supports this favoritism by focusing more
on Chandan’s future, investing in his education and career while expecting Tara
to settle for less. This shows how patriarchy influences family decisions,
often making women accept smaller roles in life.
Tara’s struggle is not just her own it reflects how
society often gives better chances and resources to men, while women are
expected to accept fewer opportunities. This discrimination holds back women’s growth
and slows down society’s overall progress.
Tara’s Emotional Trauma
Tara is aware of the unfair treatment she faces, which
causes her deep emotional pain. She feels betrayed, especially by her mother.
Her physical condition becomes a symbol of her emotional reality—she is left
feeling incomplete, both physically and emotionally.
Although Tara shows strength and resilience, the
rejection she experiences weighs heavily on her mental health. Her tragic
ending is a painful reminder of how damaging gender bias can be. Her journey
also shows how even women, like her mother, sometimes support unfair systems
because of long-held societal beliefs.
Chandan’s Guilt and Trauma
Chandan, though he seems more privileged, also faces
emotional suffering. As he grows older, he realizes the injustice done to Tara
and feels guilty for being the favored child. Moving to London and calling
himself ‘Dan’ is his way of trying to escape his painful past. But no matter
how far he goes, he can’t run from his guilt.
Chandan’s struggle shows that gender discrimination harms
not only those who are oppressed but also those who benefit from it. His
hesitation to write about Tara reveals his deep pain and difficulty facing the
truth. His eventual acceptance of reality is an important turning point in the
play, showing the importance of recognizing and addressing gender inequality.
The Play’s Message on Gender Equality
Tara is a
powerful criticism of a society that values boys more than girls. Dattani uses
Tara’s story to highlight how patriarchy works within families, shaping the
lives of both men and women. The play encourages viewers to think about the
real costs of gender discriminationnot just missed opportunities, but also
emotional and psychological suffering.
By showing the pain of both Tara and Chandan, the play
delivers a strong message about the need for equality. It urges society to
treat boys and girls with the same love, respect, and opportunities. The play
also calls for breaking down the traditional gender roles that fuel
discrimination and creating a fairer and more equal world.
Conclusion
Mahesh Dattani’sTara is a powerful story about gender inequality and emotional pain. Through
Tara’s suffering and Chandan’s guilt, the play shows the hidden damage caused
by patriarchal values. Their tragic story is a reminder of the need for
societal change and equal treatment for everyone, regardless of gender.
The play leaves us with a big question: How many more Taras must suffer before
society recognizes and ends these deep-rooted biases? It pushes us to have conversations
about gender equality and work toward a future where every person can live with
dignity and fairness.
Works Cited
Dattani, Mahesh. Tara. Penguin Books
India, 2000.
Nehru Institute of Technology. https://www.nehit.com.
Authorrea. http://www.authorrea.com.
Classace. https://www.classace.io.
The Editor Reads. WordPress,https://theeditorreads.wordpress.com.
Improv. https://improv.com.
E-books Inflibnet.
https://ebooks.inflibnet.ac.in.
The StoryGraph. https://app.thestorygraph.com.