Mahasweta Devi – Rudali
Mahasweta Devi’s Rudali (1984) is a powerful feminist and Dalit text focusing on the life of Sanichari, a poor, oppressed woman from the lower caste of Rajasthan. The story exposes caste violence, gender inequality, feudal exploitation, poverty and survival. Sanichari eventually becomes a professional mourner (a rudali) who is paid to cry at the funerals of upper-caste landlords—a bitter irony that highlights social hypocrisy.
Summary
Sanichari’s Life of Hardship
Sanichari is born into poverty in the village of Tahad. Her name symbolizes inauspiciousness (Saturday-born). She faces tragedy throughout her life:
- Her mother abandons her
- Her husband, Ganjor, is irresponsible
- Poverty and hunger dominate her daily struggle
- Her only son becomes an alcoholic
Death, sickness, debt, and humiliation are constant companions. Sanichari learns to endure suffering without complaint—her tears seem “dried up.”
Drought, Poverty & Exploitation
The village is ruled by wealthy upper-caste landlords (Thakurs) who exploit Dalits. Sanichari works as a bonded labourer to repay debts. Even at her husband’s death, she must continue to work. In this brutal social order:
- Poor must suffer in silence
- Rich demand respect and ritual mourning
- Caste determines who lives with dignity
Sanichari Meets Bikhni – Friendship & Sisterhood
Sanichari befriends Bikhni, another poor Dalit woman. Their friendship brings emotional support and shared survival. They try small jobs, navigate social humiliation, and search for ways to earn money.
They discover that upper-caste families hire women to cry professionally at funerals to show their “status.” This becomes their strange opportunity.
Becoming Rudalis – Irony of Paid Mourning
Sanichari and Bikhni decide to become rudalis—professional mourners. Ironically, Sanichari, who has never had time to cry for her own grief, is now paid to cry for the oppressors who caused her misery.
Crying becomes:
- a skill
- a performance
- a survival strategy
This exposes the hypocrisy of the upper castes:
- They exploit Dalits in life
- They hire them to display false grief in death
Bikhni’s Death & Sanichari’s Transformation
Bikhni dies suddenly, leaving Sanichari devastated. But this tragedy forces Sanichari to take full control of her life. She gathers a group of lower-caste and marginalized women:
- widows
- sex workers
- abandoned women
- untouchable women
Together, they form a rudali group. For the first time, Sanichari becomes a leader and earns enough to survive with dignity.
The story ends with Sanichari discovering her own voice, strength, and agency.
Major Characters
- Sanichari – Protagonist; oppressed Dalit woman who becomes a professional mourner.
- Bikhni – Sanichari’s closest friend; source of emotional support.
- Ganjor – Sanichari’s husband; irresponsible and uncaring.
- Thakurs – Upper-caste landlords; symbol of feudal oppression.
- Moti – Sanichari’s alcoholic son.
Major Themes
- Caste Oppression – Rudali exposes deep cruelty of caste hierarchy.
- Gender Inequality – Women’s bodies and labour are exploited.
- Poverty & Survival – Hunger forces people into degrading work.
- Irony of Mourning – Dalits cry for the rich but not for their own dead.
- Female Solidarity – Friendship between Sanichari and Bikhni is empowering.
- Resistance & Agency – Sanichari transforms pain into economic independence.
Symbols
- Tears – Symbol of suffering, suppression and performance.
- Paid Mourning – Hypocrisy of upper-caste rituals.
- Sanichari’s Name – Her lifelong bad luck and struggle.
- Rudali Group – Collective strength of oppressed women.
Critical Analysis
- Mahasweta Devi exposes caste and gender violence with raw honesty.
- The text shows how women suffer first as labourers, then as widows, then as Dalits.
- Sanichari’s transformation challenges the idea that oppressed people remain voiceless.
- The story critiques feudal rituals that value spectacle over human pain.
- By the end, Sanichari becomes a symbol of resistance and survival.
Quick Revision Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Author | Mahasweta Devi |
| Work | Rudali (1984) |
| Genre | Feminist / Dalit / Social Realist Fiction |
| Setting | Rajasthan village (feudal society) |
| Protagonist | Sanichari |
| Themes | Caste, oppression, poverty, female solidarity |
| Message | Oppressed women find strength and agency despite systemic injustice. |
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