Bridging Myth and Reality: Drawing Parallels Between PTSD Affects and Surpanakha in Lanka’s Princess

Abstract

This paper explores different effects of trauma and repressed emotions in the protagonist of Lanka’s Princess by Kavita Kane. It also relates to contemporary case studies on acid attack survivors, people who are mutilated and amputated with that of Surpanakha, a fictional character in the novel, Lanka’s Princess by Kavita Kane. This research follows a unique approach that compares the effect of trauma in various effects. It explores the after effects of psychological and physiological trauma experienced by various women through case studies and it also explores the extent of trauma and its after effects experienced by the mythical woman Surpanakha. Indian Mythological stories are written in different perspectives bringing the silenced characters to the forefront by many Indian writers. In Kane’s version of Mythopoeia, she portrays Surpanakha as Meenakshi, not as a demoness but a wronged damsel.