Posted:
In Friday's episode a brilliant line was said by Anandi," We were married when we were kids. At that time the only bond we understood with others was of friendship. Love is something that we understand as an adult. And when I experienced it, you went away".
Whatever criticism we give to Jagiya, we cannot completely absolve Child marriage from this mess. Childhood is not the time of understanding the bond of marriage or feelings of love, or the deep attachment , the emotional baggage that comes with it". These are the things better understood in adulthood. Thus only as adults we can understand who we want as our soulmate, and what we want from our life, our goals, ambitions etc. Childhood cannnot be a time to define this!
I have to agree with the story teller, and the irony of the series is this. Adultery or realizing that you love someone as an adult is the best critique of Bal Vivah. And yes the worst sufferer is always the woman. Jagiya too is a victim, he cannot think of marrying Gauri, who he considers to be a better soulmate (!????) because the strong bond of marriage that tied him as a kid. He cannot move out. Though I do believe he could have resisted the adultery, but yes to be tied to this relationship as a kid is unfair.
The series depiction of Anandi's suffering is to be appaulded. A woman's suffering in this relationship is worse. A man like Jagiya can move out, can reject a woman. But can a woman do the same? Can she use the pretex of child marriage? When Jagiya committed adultery, the maximum society did was laugh at the woman, critize the man. But what if a woman dares it...
The next thing we know is the worst condemantion by the society. [I can already imagine crowds running after her ( in the villages)].
Thus Bal Vivah not just curtails man's right, but also woman's right to a good partner. Anandi never deserved Jagiya, a man who never understood her qualities. Our soulmates are suppose to lift us not break us, like Jagya tried. So by critiquing Bal Vivah I am not just defending Jagya's right to choose a soulmate but also Anandi's.
Childhood is not the time of marriage, but of happiness and carefree life. So lets not forget Bal Vivah, even though Jagya's actions are condemable, this is the irony, it is also the biggest critique of Bal Vivah.
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
