H
ere is an interesting comparison between Draupadi and the 'other women' in MBOther women and our women- Portrayal of Other' women like Hidimba and Ulupi as a seductress also highlighted the so called virtues' of the Aryan women. In contrast to sexually assertive Hidimba and Ulupi, the Aryan women like Draupadi is being portrayed as docile and passive in their interaction with men. During the period of the Pandava's exile, when she was approached by Kotika, the messenger of Sindhu King Jayadratha, Draupadi says,
"Being alone in this forest here, I should not speak unto thee, remembering the usages of my sex" (Vana Parva Section CCLXIV)
What a contrast! Draupadi will not even speak to other men, but Ulupi can pull Arjuna. Thepatriarchal influence is obvious in Draupadi's attitude. In comparison the Non-Aryan women like Ulupi and Hidimba appears to be much freer and earthly when it comes to dealing with the opposite sex. The women in the patriarchal society led almost a mechanical existence. They are to be won at the Swyamvara, put as bait at dice, possessed and protected. All attempts are made to suppress their sexuality but the other' women are allowed to have assertive carnal desire as they serve the purpose of satisfying the baser instinct of the men.
After the Great Mahabharata war, Ulupi and Chitrangada were brought to Hastinapur, the Pandava's capital (Ashwamedh Parva, Section LXXXVIII), but here also nobody seems to remember Hidimba. This symbolizes the traditional discriminatory attitude towards the women with dusky complexion. Good looking and fair Naga and Manipuri princess can be accepted, but not Hidimba with dusky complexion.
One of the interesting chapters of this progress is to study how the women belonging to the Non-Aryan tribes were treated. There are many like Hidimba and Ulupi whose presence is acknowledged. Yet, there are many who were thrown into oblivion. Deciphering their lives will be an interesting challenge to the researchers interested in Indology.
The epical attitude is not a thing of the past, but similar attitude continues to shape our behavior even today, one has to just remind ourselves about the treatment given to the girls from the North East by the civilized' citizens of the national capital. As they look different, dress up in a different manner, they are perceived as others and treated as easily available.
The attitude of treating other women as a sex object also finds its place in the Hindi cinema as well. Usually, women wearing saris i.e. our own Indian dress are portrayed as homely, motherly figures. On the other hand women who seduce the otherwise faithful heroes are portrayed as wearing western outfit.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
