Litfest Delhi 2017: From Mira and Radha to Mughal daughters

Kasturba

Gandhi

was a fiery woman of her time who played a vital role in fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi’s never-ending sexual desires and put her wishes on the backburner to be with her husband and be his puppet, Neelima Dalmia Adhar, author of ‘The Secret Diary of Kasturba Gandhi,’ said on Sunday.

And when Mahatma Gandhi started his experiments with truth, Kasturba was the first to face the fallout. “Gandhi was considered close to a couple of women, and they toured the world together as freedom-fighters. Then there was a point when Kasturba started questioning if the celibacy was only for her,” Adhar said.


In another session at the

Times Litfest

, Ira Mukhoty, author of ‘Heroines: Powerful Indian women of myth and history,’ and Kalpana Swaminathan, whose recent book is ‘Greenlight,’ spoke on the theme ‘Woman and her imaginings.’ Mukhoty’s women are Draupadi, Radha, Laxmibai, Jahanara Begum and Mirabai. Draupadi opposes social norms, Radha stands against hierarchy, and Mira is portrayed in a particular way to suit the patriarchal narrative, she said. Swaminathan, who has explored the lives of ordinary women in her book, said, “Gandhari is always portrayed as a ‘pativrata’ as she blindfolds herself to follow her husband.

However, nobody wondered that their sons turned out the way they did as none of the parents could see their wrongdoings early.” She added misogyny is a female construct in India.

Mukhoty said the lives of the daughters of the Mughals should be made a part of the syllabus. “Not everybody knows that Old Delhi was built by

Shahjahan

’s daughter Jahanara Begum.”

Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.