Politics of Queer Sexuality in Mahesh Dattani's Where There’s a Will

Abstract

This paper examines Dattani’s representation of gender and the weakened gender norms imposed on women. The study clearly portrays gender stereotypes. To show Dattani's perceptions and responses to gender and gender construction, compared with society's, the study uses relevant examples from the literature. In addition, the study uses examples from the text to show how Dattani simultaneously embodies and dismantles gender norms. It depicts the gender hierarchy and each gender's position within a patriarchal, heterogeneous, dominant society. Additionally, it identifies the ideology behind the author’s inspiration for writing these plays. Dattani is well known for both his broad range of themes and subjects and his technical mastery. Essentially, the study is text-focused. To effect social change and a sociocultural revolution and raise public awareness of the need to reform the current social structure, these plays undertake audacious inventions and experiments and address issues relevant to the current social context. The plays portray the intense conflicts of modern city life and address the ambitions of society's underprivileged and marginalised segments.