• Dr Meenakshi Choubey

Vijay Tendulkar’s Kanyadaan, one of his most controversial plays, besides having the theme of casteism, dwells on the issue of devastating impact of the ideology of a father on a dutiful daughter. Jyoti, an educated daughter of a socially and politically active Brahmin family, informs her parents about her decision of marrying Arun Athawale, a dalit whom she has known only for two months. Whereas Seva, being a conscientious mother, is naturally worried to hear it, her father Nath Devlalikar takes it to be a radical step on the part of their daughter, for it will serve their purpose of eradicating the evil of untouchability from the society. Though during the very first meeting of Arun with Jyoti’s family his ill manners and prejudices against upper caste people come to fore, Nath supports her decision in his zeal for expedition against casteism. He even considers it to be ‘a very precious experiment’.After the marriage takes place, Arun’s alcoholism and his violent behaviour towards Jyoti make both the father and the daughter realize the difference between idealism and reality. Jyoti finds herself engulfed in the sea of misery. Apprehending the amount of torture Arun may inflict upon his daughter, Nath accepts his invitation to preside over the discussion on his unrealistic autobiography, and praises the book in his speech. Jyoti, being a staunch follower of the ideals of her father since her childhood, is completely shattered to see his hypocrisy. She accuses him for rearing her as a‘guinea pig’ for his ‘experiments’ and leaves her home to let him burn in the fire of repentance forever. The research paper attempts to delve deep in the psyche of the characters to understand the playwright’s skill in delineating the intricacies of father-daughter relationship.

Casteism, hypocrisy, idealism, prejudices, reality, relationship, social reform.

"Father-Daughter Relationship in Vijay Tendulkar’s Kanyadaan", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.7, Issue 8, page no.244-249, February 2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2008030.pdf

"Father-Daughter Relationship in Vijay Tendulkar’s Kanyadaan", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.7, Issue 8, page no. pp244-249, February 2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2008030.pdf