Patriarchal Politics of Vulnerable Femininity in Kālidāsa’s Abhijnanaśakuntalām

This paper examines Śakuntalā; an iconic character of renowned classical Sanskrit play ‘AbhijyanaŚakuntalām’ authored by Kālidāsa. This research explores how embodiment of vulnerability in the character of Śakuntalā serve to the patriarchal politics of classical literature appropriating the subjugation and objectification of women. The paper argues that the character of female protagonist Śakuntalā is constructed as a vulnerable feminine subject to in order to control the dramatic narrative in patriarchal aesthetics serving male gaze, and to justify injustice and abandonment happens to Śakuntalā in the course of the story as she had taken Duṣyanta as her husband in absence of any witness or ritualistic-social ceremonies. It also sheds light on the distressing reflection of women's experiences in the Indian classical dramatic literature in order to examine the patriarchal politics of vulnerability and patriarchal control over women. The journey of Śakuntalā throughout the play exposes the interplay between gender dynamics, power relations, social expectations, and the question of women’s personal agency. Finally, the journey, experiences and choices of the female protagonist of the play AbhijyanaŚakuntalām expose patriarchal construction of the character that caters the male gaze and the politics of feminine vulnerability in the gendered power play in the romantic relationship.