• Arathy J
• Dr. M. Ashitha Varghese

This article explores the themes of identity and struggles in Sarah Joseph’s Budhini and Mahasweta Devi’s Draupadi . These two significant works excavate into the realities faced by tribal women in India. The novels highlight the marginalization and oppression that tribal communities, particularly women, endure. Through a literary analysis, this article examines how the protagonists in both novels navigate their identities within their respective social and cultural contexts. In Budhini, the eponymous character’s identity as a Santhal tribal woman becomes a point of contention following a misunderstood gesture, leading to her ostracization by her community and society.And also ,Draupadi portrays the exploitation and marginalization of tribal women, emphasizing the intersectionality of class, gender, and ethnicity. The article further engages in a comparative analysis of the two texts, identifying the thematic and narrative parallels that underline the systemic discrimination against tribal women in India. By focusing on the identity struggles depicted in these novels, this article provides a critical perspective on the wider socio-political issues faced by tribal communities in India. The article argues that Sarah Joseph and Mahaswetha Devi use their narratives to challenge the prevailing stereotypes and offer a voice to the often-silenced tribal women, contributing to a deeper understanding of their lived experiences.

Keywords: Tribal women , Discrimination , Identity , oppression , Gender

"Intersecting Identities: The Discrimination of Indigenous Women in Sarah Joseph's Budhini and Mahasweta Devi's Draupadi", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 2, page no.h228-h235, February-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2502731.pdf

"Intersecting Identities: The Discrimination of Indigenous Women in Sarah Joseph's Budhini and Mahasweta Devi's Draupadi", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 2, page no. pph228-h235, February-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2502731.pdf