Feminist Re-writing of the Myth of Radha in Krishna Dharawasi’s Radha.

Abstract

The blurredmetalinscriptionsfoundduring anarchaeological excavation and their reading byan ascetic begins the narration of Krishna Dharawasi's novelRadha. With the words of the saint, we come to know that, those inscriptions are auto- biography of oneof the major women characters of Hindu mythology,Radha. The noveldescribes howRadha had become the victim of conventional patriarchal society. Shewasmercilessly forgotten by Puranas. After the departure of Krishna, her beloved from the village,Puranas ignored her andfollowed‘him’blindly.They did not even try to think what happened to Radhaafter thedepartureof Krishna, the male protagonist of many Hindu mythological narratives.Radha was badly astonishedby the activities of Krishna. Krishnapromised to come back but never did so. Krishna neither respected his love, norhismarriage! Without consultinghisbeloved Radha, he went on to collect16108 wives!Rumination, after this fact finally led to the realization of Radha and to her self questioning.Radhadreadfully imagines-What would happen if she was his first wife!The novel has defined love in unique and appealing way.Radha still loves Krishna by heart, but refuses to get married with him because she does not want to be his 16109 th wife. She is presented here asintelligent, maturewoman through afinerewritingand practical use of Leela Lekhan in creative writing.