Development Team
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Paper No. : Women, Media and Films Module : Mythology, Women and Media Development Team Principal Investigator Prof. Sumita Parmar Allahabad University, Allahabad Paper Coordinator Prof. Sisir Basu Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Content Writer Aparna Singh FMS, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Content Reviewer Prof . SSisir BasuUniversity 1 Women, Media and Films Women’s Studies Mythology, Women and Media Description of Module Subject Name Women’s Studies Paper Name Women and Literature Module Mythology, Women & Media Name/Title Module Id Paper – 10, Module - 6 Pre-requisites The reader is expected to have the knowledge of types of images in which women are portrayed in the society. Objectives To make readers aware about the various forms of media used to convey the images pertaining to female characters depicted in Mythological legends. Keywords Indian Mythology, Hinduism, Vedic Era, Female Deities, Goddesses, Image, Characterization, Portrayal, Media. 2 Women, Media and Films Women’s Studies Mythology, Women and Media 1.0. Objectives This module aims to explain the trends and features of usage of media in the portrayal of women, as stated and characterized in mythology. This module shall demonstrate to us how the traditional culture of India has helped in shaping the present milieu around women in our country and what crucial role the media has played in it. After going through it, you shall be able to: • describe the nature of linkage of the characterizations of women in Indian mythology with the forms of media that have been used to communicate these images among the societies; • state the nature of inter-relationship among various women studies made in reference to mythology, in context of media selection and propagation; • explain the role of various media in image-making of women since ancient times and its impact on general psyche of masses; and • gauge the status of women of ancient-times vis-à-vis the status of women of modern-times and how the various channels of media have worked toward it. 1. Introduction Women have always found a prominent place in history, society, culture and development of our land. Our ancient scriptures and texts are full of vivid feministic descriptions and references to females of their times. These legends show the rare and complex mix of qualities of sensibility, sensitivity, sensuality and strength in their life-stories and how they tried to become role-models to people and communities by display of just attitudes and superior moral-character. Hindu mythology is full of such references of female deities and/ 3 Women, Media and Films Women’s Studies Mythology, Women and Media or protagonists who show us the ideal pathways to social and moral codes of conduct, to be followed in difficult times or controversial situations. In Indian mythology, we have numerous such examples of valiant ladies, who were righteous, assertive and heroic in their endeavors. In this module, we have tried to find out various stories that projected women in central roles and the images that societies have drawn of them. We have also tried to find out the pattern in the usage of various means of communications (media) transmitting these images into the general conscience of masses. The Realms of Mythology, Women & Media In order to understand the place of women in mythology and their depiction through various forms of media, we first need to understand the meaning and nature of these three terms, in addition to the inter-relationships among them. Meaning and Definition of Mythology The word ‘myth’ comes from the Greek word ‘mythos’ which originally meant ‘speech’ or ‘discourse’, but later came to mean ‘fable’ or ‘legend’. Myth is a story that takes place in an imagined, remote and timeless past. Mythology is a body of narratives, stories or myths pertaining to people; addressing the issues of their origin, history, deities, ancestors and heroes associated to particular events, persons, institutions or cultures. It is a set of traditions or beliefs that have accrued over time among people from a particular community or region. They may exist in texts, religious practices, telltales or even in folklores. Mythology is the study of myths, tales that are not sufficiently supported by tangible evidence. 4 Women, Media and Films Women’s Studies Mythology, Women and Media Meaning & Definition of Woman ‘Woman’ is an adult human-being (as different from a girl or a man), biologically capable of bearing offspring. It is a standard - parallel and opposite to man. They constitute almost half of the world population. Terms ‘female’, ‘lady’ and ‘woman’ are mostly used interchangeably, while Women Studies is a discipline of study that talks of gender-parity and empowerment. Meaning & Definition of Media The word ‘media’ is the plural of ‘medium’, which comes from the Latin word ‘medius’ meaning ‘the middle’. ‘Media’ means ‘means of communication’. They are the communication channels through which news, education, entertainment, data, promotional messages, etc., are disseminated. Media includes every broadcasting or narrowcasting medium like newspapers, magazines, television, radio, billboards, direct mails, telephone, fax , internet, etc. 2. Nature of inter-relationship between the three realms of mythology, women and media in India The unique realms of ‘mythology’, ‘women’ and ‘media’ are somewhat inter-related and inter-dependent. This can be understood by the fact that ‘media transmits the legends of mythology while mythology carries the legends of women’. So, it is through the various channels of media that the stories related to the women characters are communicated in societies. 5 Women, Media and Films Women’s Studies Mythology, Women and Media Here in this module, we will mainly focus on Indian mythology, with a special reference to Vedic mythology and its women related legends. Status of Women in Ancient India Women in ancient India held a respectable position. It is evident from historical remains and texts that they enjoyed rights and privileges almost at par with men. Generally, the period from 3000 B.C to 750 A.D. is considered as the ancient period in the Indian chronology of history, which is broadly divided into Pre-Vedic (3000 B.C. to 1500 B.C.), Vedic (1500 B.C. to 600 B.C.) and Post-Vedic (600 B.C. to 750 A.D.) era. Women in Pre-Vedic Era Not many texts and relics from Pre-Vedic era have survived to date, so the understanding of the practices of that era is still incomplete. However, other archaeological remains and artefacts in the form of monuments, seals, figurines, etc; excavated at various Palaeolithic and Neolithic sites tell us about the status of women of those times. During Harappa or Indus Valley civilization (IVS), women held positions of honour because their participation was found necessary in the production process. IVC was matriarchal in nature and women were regarded higher in position and were treated better. The traits of phallus-worship along with the huge finds of mother figurines and feminine-motif seals suggest that females and fertility were worshipped as ‘source of power’ in those times. The bronze sculpture of a dancing-girl found at Mohenjodaro suggests that music and dance were ‘the arts’ predominantly associated with females. 6 Women, Media and Films Women’s Studies Mythology, Women and Media Women in Vedic Era During the Rigvedic Period, women took part in the intellectual life of the society. They devoted their time in learning Vedic theology and philosophy till they got married. They were initiated into Vedic studies after their Upanayana (Initiation Ceremony). For example, Devi Sita was described as offering Sandhya prayers, i.e., ritual prayers which were offered with mantras at specific times of day. Women were classified as Brahmavadini and Sadyovadhu in ancient Vedic times. A Brahmavadini was a woman who studied the Vedas after the Yajnopavita-samskara (the sacred thread ceremony) and got married later or stayed a bachelor in further pursuit of the Vedic knowledge. A Sadyovadhu was a woman who got married immediately after her sacred thread ceremony. This has been mentioned in several texts like Madhava- Samhita on Parashara Smriti, Harita Dharma Sutra, etc. In Vedas, there is not a single reference which denies women the rights to study Vedic knowledge, to Yajnopavitam Samskara and Gayatri Upadesha. There are many Vedic hymns attributed to Rishika (female Vedic scholars). In Rig Veda alone there are around 30 Women Vedic scholars (Rishikas) to whom different hymns have been attributed .1 Post-marriage, both husband and wife took equal part in the sacrificial rites. Women were not considered an obstacle in the path of religion and their presence and co-operation was treated absolutely necessary in many religious rites and ceremonies. Women, also, frequently associated themselves with village-councils or folk-assemblies viz. ‘Sabha’ or ‘Vidath’ and participated freely in its deliberations. The participation of women in productive activities, such as agriculture, animal-rearing, trade, manufacture of clothes, weapons, potteries, etc., depicts the socio-economic freedom and equal status accorded to them. In 7 Women, Media and Films Women’s Studies Mythology, Women and Media the Vedic age, girls were normally married after puberty. The couples were the joint owners of the household as well as the property. The joint possession secured women numerous rights and privileges. It gave them an absolute right of maintenance against the husband. The Vedic literature and the Dharma-sutras allowed remarriage rights to widows. The discussions on the question of widow-remarriage and upholding the rights of widows in their husband’s property are further proofs that the sati system was not prevalent in the Vedic period. Only stray references to sati occur in the Mahabharata. According to the epic, four wives of Vasudeva and five wives of Krishna committed Sati, but Satyabhama, another wife of Krishna retired to the forest.