Widow-hood and the subsequent entrapment of women: A Comparative study of Pre-Independent to contemporary period

Anita Desai's “Fasting Feasting”, though a novel of contrast between two cultures, brings out the suppression, denial and negation of life to the woman folk due to orthodox, religious and social customs existed and enforced by the male dominated patriarchal society of India. The first part of the novel elaborates, how opportunities to the girl children are denied. Be it education, choosing of avenues for self-sustenance or even selecting one's own life partner. It is decided by the self-centred parents and the aged at home in order to fulfil their whims and fancies and there by getting the females entrapped in aself-destructive and agonising life.

The life of widows was much more disgusting and painful than any other life on Earth. The torture, subjugation and hardship of widowhood is well depicted in Indian history and various other socio-religious books. In the ancient princely state of India, a widow was supposed to immolate herself, mostly without the wilful consent of the individual or her dear ones which was termed as “sati” to prove her love and affection and chastity. Later on the active intervention of the Governor General Lord William Bentinck of the East India Company and the sustained campaigning by social activist, William Carey and Raja Ram Mohan Roy paved the way for abolishing this undesirable and inhumane practice. After independence the Indian government made various legislation to protect the interest and well-being of the widows and their wards. But inspite of all these efforts they were treated as outcaste for social gathering and even family functions. The patriarchal hegemony laid out stringent do's and don'ts for them including their food and clothing; devoid of ornaments and other aesthetics. Even confronting a widow face to face was considered as a bad omen.

Anita Desai's “Mira masi” in “Fasting Feasting” depicts a partially liberated widow of independent India, who atleast have the freedom to travel across pilgrim centres. Exempting this privilege, she too is entrapped as a soul seeking liberation from the authoritative, uncivilised custom of isolation and suppression. The past two decades saw few welcome changes to embolden widows and women at large. Serious legislation, women empowerment programs through education and employment gave the much awaited gender and social equality. Right to legitimate parental property, liberal and simplified widow remarriage acts and improved social awareness has contributed for the required liberation of women and widows.