• V. Vijayalakshmi
• Dr. C. Chithra

Mahasweta Devi is an eminent voice for the right of equality of unprivileged subaltern and oppressed section of society by expressing the miserable condition through her pen. The play Bayen elucidates how a woman is thrown at the margin of society by the male dominated social system. This paper examines the ways in which society constructs the life of a woman and analyzes the character of Chandidasi, as a woman, as a mother, as longing for self identity in this patriarchal society. The play bestows a glimpse of all misery of a woman created and the place of women in this social structure. Chandidasi is the care taker of the graves and assumes her responsibility with great pride from her father Kalu dome, after his death. Her extreme affectionate attitude towards children made her to be labelled as Bayen by the villagers. One day, she happens to overhear the conversation of the robber’s destructive plans of obstructing the train and causing harm to people. In order to save the people she goes in the direction to approach the train and gives up her life. Her sacrifice is recognized after her death and honoured by the society.

subaltern, oppressed, dominated, woman, self identity, sacrifice, society

"Representing women from witch to womanhood- Mahasweta Devi’s ‘Bayen’", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 11, page no.a606-a610, November-2021, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2111079.pdf

"Representing women from witch to womanhood- Mahasweta Devi’s ‘Bayen’", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 11, page no. ppa606-a610, November-2021, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2111079.pdf