ABSTRACT
A. Jayaprabha (1957) is one of the important feminist writers and critics in Telugu. In this essay, she attempts a feminist reading of Gurajada Apparao’s play Kanyshulakam (1892), focusing her argument on a major character in the play, Madhuravani. It is taken from Jayaprabha’s book Nalugo Goda: Telugulo Adhunika Natakam, 1940–1990 (1992), which is a study of drama in India from a feminist perspective. It analyses various aspects of Indian drama as well as the influences on Indian drama from the classical to the modern drama. Compared to the criticism of other genres in Telugu, criticism on drama is very scarce. Not many critics have taken up drama for literary analysis. One reason for this could be the subversive genres and arguments that have emerged against the tradition of classical drama. Against this backdrop, Jayaprabha’s argument becomes important. Also, Gurajada Apparao’s play Kanyashulkam has been one of the most influential and most discussed modern plays in Telugu. Several writers have critically analysed the theme, language, characters in the play especially in the context of the reform movement. Madhuravani, one of the main characters in the play, is described as a progressive, unique and brilliant character. Jayaprabha compares her with other characters in the play, the ones that are portrayed as acceptable and laudable, and asks the question as to why only Madhuravani had to change. She analyses it as part of the design of the reform movement where the other women had no choice but to accept the mainstream and allow themselves to be co-opted.
