SHE - Episode 16

well sir...i see your point of view that we are only the spectators of what is happening in shalini's life. and i agree that in a troubled state, the mind would seek to choose a path of either the least resistance or a path which "there's-nothing-else-in-life"....as in shalini's case!

as for the next part of the comment, i must say that being still in my teen years, i'll admit that i'm still foolishly ignorant of certain issues, be it regarding the Manu Dharma, or even the general hindu scriptures.
but regarding the Manu proposition that women need men in their lives, i must say that this proposition can never remain unheard as long as you have a hindu background. thankfully, my mom does not wholly agree.in fact ,she shares the same views as you do sir.

thank you very much sir for sharing your views with me.

regards

-MaYa-

Originally Posted by varalotti

Hi Maya,

Well, Maya, you and I know for sure that she can't be a yogin. But remember we are not in the train. We are by the side rails and are just watching the train moving on its tracks.

But at this moment she is in a troubled state. Let's just imagine her current situation. The man who loved her with all his heart has been brutally murdered. She was thrown from the heights of happiness to depths of despair. And as if that was not enough she was accused of murdering her future husband. Fortunately there was a man who was with her in all these troubles and saved her. And that man is leaving her all of a sudden.

She is now suddenly and mercilessly alone. Not that she cannot manage her life alone. But you know this sudden vaccuum has got strange effects on her psyche.

sir, i have a question...or make that some questions. throughout the series, why is it that her main quest in life is to get settled in life with a man?
isnt there more life than just settling down in a relationship, sir?

surely she can pursue other interests to fulfill her life and make make it more meaningful without making the 'must-have-a-man' goal as the main target?
forgive me for being rather harsh and please dont mistake me to be a feminist, which i am not anyway.
im just curious to know why has this been her pursuit all the while?
is it because she wants to prove herself to the captain?

I like the way you phrased your question and worded your criticism. It is not a harsh criticism but a provocative thought. I am going to lapse into a long explanation and Maya, you will have to indulge me in this.

As a writer my focus has mainly been on women. Their rights, their equality with men and the kind of atrocities committed on them and how to deal with such atrocities. But I am also a human being who has been inhabiting this planet for close to half a century. One thing I have found out is that it is not given to most of us, about 99% of us, to live a life of solitude.
Feminists attack the proposition given in Manu Dharma. Manu says that a woman can never be alone. When she is young she is under her father's care. After her marriage she is under her husband's care. And in her old age she has to be in her son's care. They all say this is bullshit. Yes, I do agree.
But I personally feel that Manu has just said one part. Or the later male chauvinists deleted the other part. The other part is this
A man always needs the company of a woman. While young, he needs a mother. And sisters. And when he grows up and gets married, he has his wife. In his old age he needs his daughter's love and affection.

I will go one step ahead and say that throughout his life a man needs the company of a woman, be it mother, sister, lover, friend, wife, daughter, whatever.

Having said that now I can venture to say that basically we have not been created to live alone. In as much a woman needs a man, a man also needs a woman. For my own part I can go on record saying that my life has been enriched by my many women friends. Physically with none of these women I have not gone closer than shaking hands. But mentally we have shared our life's problems and have exchanged notes frequently. The beauty is that I have not seen some of my close women friends. Some, I see once in a blue moon. But still the friendship continues. I can proudly confess that I can live without women - call it dependence or sheer inferirority or whatever.

So I created Shalini in my image in the opposite sex as far as this attribute is concerned.

But Maya, mine is not the last word. Do come back with your views on this.

Most Gracious ILites,
Want to have a glance at the Madurai book fair? Want to steal a look at Varalotti's picture hanging outside his publisher's stall?

Or want to see the rare sight of his wife reading the blurbs from his books? Well go to this thread.
Varalotti in Madurai Book Fair! Pictures!

As soon as I saw my picture over there I wanted to share the news with my family, and hence this 'self-trumpeting' post. Want your wishes and blessings.
Love,

Most Gracious ILites,
After celebrating the Indian Independence day worldwide, you have now come to read the story of a woman who sought her own independence and even fought for it. Does that fight end in a golden retreat in the form of a sanyas? Has Shalini found herself?
This episode may not provide exact answers to these questions. But read on, for this is the penultimate chapter of this mini-mega serial.
Looking forward to your views.
Love,