Visualizing the Outcry of the ‘Invisible Minority’ in Dattani’s ‘Seven Steps around the Fire’

Abstract

Elias Uddin Khalifa Abstract: In ‘Seven Steps Around the Fire’ Mahesh Dattani visualizes the outcry of hijra (eunuch), ‘invisible minority’ who suffers a lot as they are deviated from society. Quite naturally, they are neglected and socially alienated. They have lost their identity, rights and they been discriminated in every step of their life. Dattani is the only playwright in India who has taken bold step to write on the theme of the underprivileged section of people whose outcry could not be heard. Key -Words: Alienated, Deviated, Minority, Underprivileged, Visualizes. Click here to print/download PDF of this research paper Mahesh Dattani, being a realistic playwright of modern India, tries to write something on the common issues of the uncommon. He dared to publicize the voices of such community as others always ignore them. He harboured and knew the inner-self of the deprived section and presents them to his audience. He has strong will to do something for such community and discussed their problems openly in his plays. In his play ‘Seven Steps Around the Fire’ he realistically presents the pitiable condition of Hijra whom the normal human beings consider as ‘untouchable’. Mahesh Dattani wanders to and fro and finds out the problems of the society and estimates to discuss them openly. In ‘Seven Steps Around the Fire’ he draws such kind of theme that is uncommon and unusual. He showcases the condition of the voiceless Hijra and their social status in the society. They ar...