Breaking The Shadowy World Of Courtesans: Women, Myth, Music In Kavita Kane’s Menaka’s Choice

Abstract

Mythologies are primarily male-centered stories representing, upholding, and idealizing patriarchal norms and aspirations. Patriarchy regulates and controls women's sexuality through mythological stories. Females are frequently treated as property to be transferred or enjoyed by men. The objectification of women's bodies is a recurrent issue in mythologies throughout the world, including India. In Indian mythology, Apsaras, the eternal seductresses of Indra's court, are clear references to female objectification. Apsaras, despite their greater importance and might, are mentioned only as passing characters in Indian mythology. They were never allowed to speak on the main platform and tell their story. However, in her novel Menaka's Choice, Indian-English novelist Kavita Kane breaks this tradition by projecting the most beautiful and brilliant apsara of Indralok, Menaka as the protagonist.