Kamleshwar as an anti-feminist male writer of Hindi literature with special reference to the Hindi novel ‘ka:li: ã:dhi:’

Abstract

Feminist movement started as a struggle for the emancipation of women from domestic violence, sexual harassment, childcare and abortion which women suffer all over the world. By the 19th century, American ‘Elizabeth Cady Stanton’ (1815-1900) raised her voice for women’s rights. Meanwhile, Naomi Wolf argues that feminist thoughts must not be anti–men in ‘Fire with Fire’. Concepts of Radical and Liberal Feminism belongs to second wave feminism which highlights liberal changes of the society. Kamleshwar Prasad Saxena is a contemporary Hindi novelist who discusses above concepts in the context of Indian society in Hindi novels. Through his political novel ‘ka:li: ã:dhi:’ (Dark Storm) Kamleshwar tries to convey his thoughts regarding Radical and Liberal Feminism. The aim of this paper is to identify the attitudes of Indian male writers towards feminist thoughts through Hindi novels. For the present study Kamleshwars novel ‘ka:li: ã:dhi:’ has been used as a primary resource. Magazines and books related to Hindi literature and Feminism have been used as secondary resources. Literature survey has been employed to analyse this novel. P. K. Jaya on her literary work ‘katha:ka:r kamleʃər’ agrees with the author that marriage life becomes unsuccessful due to the career interest of the woman. It shows that Indian women used to accept patriarchal domain of men over women. Although Kamleshwar tries to discuss on feminism through this novel he could not overcome from orthodox patriarchal thoughts which lead Indian society. This paper highlights that author does not accept domestic responsibilities of men as well as he ironically highlights occupational segregation which is highly believed in Indian society. Above findings contribute to our understanding that how male writers of Hindi literature discuss Radical and Liberal feminist thoughts related to Asian society.