A Theoretical Panorama on Women's Transformation from Affliction to Admiration in the works of Sudha Murthy

Abstract

This study investigates the representation of resilience in Sudha Murthy's literary works through an examination of female protagonists' transformative journeys from positions of affliction to admiration. While existing scholarship has explored themes of women's empowerment in contemporary Indian literature, limited attention has been paid to the specific mechanisms of resilience and transformation in Murthy's works. Through close textual analysis of four key texts—Mahasweta, House of Cards, Dollar Bahu, and Wise and Otherwise—this research applies Ann S. Masten's theoretical framework of "ordinary magic" to analyze how resilience manifests through adaptive capacity, vulnerability management, agency development, and transformative recovery. The study argues that Murthy's portrayal of resilience transcends individual survival to become a catalyst for broader social change in contemporary Indian society. Focusing on the period from 2003 to 2007, this investigation examines how Murthy's characters navigate personal, social, and economic challenges while maintaining cultural authenticity. The findings reveal that resilience in Murthy's works operates on both individual and collective levels, with characters not only overcoming personal adversities but also contributing to social transformation. This research contributes to the understanding of how contemporary Indian literature portrays women's resilience while addressing broader themes of social change and cultural evolution in modern India.