Cultural violence in Kavita Kane’s novels

Abstract

Kavita Kane’s novels often revolve around reinterpreting the stories of lesser-known women from Indian mythology, and in doing so, she exposes the various forms of cultural violence embedded in these traditional narratives. Cultural violence refers to aspects of a culture—such as norms, symbols, and traditions—that justify or normalize structural or direct violence against certain groups, often marginalizing or oppressing them. In Kane’s works, this violence frequently manifests through the social, gender, and hierarchical inequalities that women and other marginalized figures endure within the patriarchal and rigid caste-bound structures of ancient society. Kavita Kane’s novels serve as critical explorations of the cultural violence inherent in Indian mythology, particularly in the treatment of women, caste, and marginalized figures. Through her reimagining of these ancient stories, Kane questions the societal structures that perpetuate gender and social inequalities. Her works not only give voice to the forgotten or misunderstood characters but also challenge the cultural acceptance of violence that operates through tradition, mythology, and social norms. By reinterpreting these myths, Kane advocates for a more nuanced understanding of cultural narratives and pushes for the recognition of the marginalized voices that have long been silenced.