Volga’s narrative reimagines mythological women, challenging patriarchal norms and exploring themes of agency and resistance.
Mythology often reinforces patriarchal control, placing women in restrictive binaries of virtue and villainy. Across various cultures, these narratives typically highlight male heroism while relegating women to the roles of submissive figures or temptresses. In the Greek tradition, figures like Helen and Clytemnestra are emblematic of this duality, with women either celebrated for their beauty or condemned for their actions. Similarly, in Indian epics, characters such as Sita and Surpanakha experience marginalization, with Sita enduring exile and Surpanakha facing punishment for her desires. These stories perpetuate a cycle where women’s voices are silenced, their agency diminished.
At a time when such mythological narratives are often misconstrued as historical truths, contemporary writers are stepping in to correct the course. Authors like Natalie Haynes and Madeline Miller have reinterpreted Greek myths, while Indian writers such as Samhita Arni and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni are reclaiming the narratives of women in the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Volga’s latest work, On the Banks of the Pampa, translated by Purnima Tammireddy, is part of this reimagining. This novel centers on Sabari, an ascetic living in the ashram of Maharshi Matanga, who is deeply connected to her forest surroundings.
Unlike the traditional portrayal of Sabari as a mere devotee, Volga presents her as a complex character with a rich inner life. She eagerly anticipates the arrival of Ramachandra, who is on a quest to rescue his wife, yet Sabari’s own narrative unfolds with depth and intellectual vigor. This depiction marks a significant shift from the popularized versions of her story, where she is often reduced to the role of a simpleton offering berries to Rama. Instead, Volga’s Sabari emerges as a strong figure who not only waits for resolution but actively offers it.
Volga’s previous works, such as The Liberation of Sita and Yashodhara, similarly explore women’s experiences in patriarchal frameworks. In these narratives, Sita and Yashodhara assert their agency, challenging societal norms and advocating for their own narratives. They embody resistance against the oppression of women, standing firm in their beliefs despite the challenges they face. Together, these characters illustrate the complexities of navigating a world that seeks to diminish female power and identity.
In On the Banks of the Pampa, the conflict between the forest and the city serves as a backdrop for Sabari’s journey. The novel opens with a serene depiction of life in the forest, where existence is harmonious and devoid of gender biases. However, this tranquility is threatened by the encroachment of ‘civilisation,’ which brings with it violence and the imposition of societal norms. Sabari’s past is marked by trauma, having been forcibly separated from her family and subjected to the harsh realities of a system that marginalizes those deemed illegal.
Volga critiques modern-day colonization through the lens of her narrative, illustrating how land and resources are exploited under the guise of development. The dichotomy of jnanam and ajnaman further highlights the struggle between oppressive knowledge held by the elite and the blissful ignorance of those in tune with nature. Ramachandra’s ambition reflects a desire for power that perpetuates the cycle of oppression, while Sabari’s journey embodies a quest for true understanding and liberation from these constraints.
