Mahesh Dattani's play, Tara - Act I and Act II | Summary and Analysis

Mahesh Dattani's play, Tara - Act I and Act II | Summary and Analysis

Mahesh Dattani's play "Tara" highlights gender discrimination, family complications, and emotional conflicts in Indian society. The play is the story of twin siblings, Chandan and Tara, who are physically born to each other. Dattani shows that one’s life becomes a victim of the mentality of society that considers the son to be superior to one’s daughter.

মহেশ দত্তানির নাটক 'তারা' ভারতীয় সমাজে লিঙ্গ বৈষম্য, পারিবারিক জটিলতা এবং মানসিক দ্বন্দ্ব তুলে ধরে। নাটকটি চন্দন ও তারা নামে যমজ ভাইবোনের গল্প, যারা একে অপরের কাছে শারীরিকভাবে জন্মগ্রহণ করে। দত্তানী দেখিয়েছেন যে, একজন ব্যক্তির জীবন সমাজের মানসিকতার শিকার হয়ে ওঠে, যিনি পুত্রকে নিজের মেয়ের চেয়ে শ্রেষ্ঠ মনে করেন।

Analysis of main characters (character analysis):

1. Tara (Tara):

Role: The main character of the play; physically disabled, but mentally very strong and emotionally mature.

Nature: fearless, sensitive, accepting truth and self -respecting. Tara is a struggling soul. She not only fights her physical sufferings, but also tolerates emotional injustice.

Specialty: She is a victim of unjust thinking of society, yet she truly loves her family.

Symbolism: Tara symbolizes the daughters of India who have to face discrimination on the basis of gender.

ভূমিকা: নাটকের প্রধান চরিত্র, শারীরিকভাবে অক্ষম, কিন্তু মানসিকভাবে অত্যন্ত শক্তিশালী এবং মানসিকভাবে পরিপক্ব। 

প্রকৃতি: নির্ভীক, সংবেদনশীল, সত্য গ্রহণ করা এবং আত্মসম্মানবোধ । তারা একটি সংগ্রামী আত্মা। তিনি কেবল তার শারীরিক কষ্টের সঙ্গেই লড়াই করেন না কিন্তু সেইসঙ্গে আবেগগত অবিচারও সহ্য করেন। 

বিশিষ্টতা: তিনি সমাজের অন্যায় চিন্তাভাবনার শিকার, তবুও তিনি সত্যিই তার পরিবারকে ভালবাসেন। 

প্রতীক: তারা ভারতের কন্যাদের প্রতীক, যাদের লিঙ্গ ভিত্তিতে বৈষম্যের মুখোমুখি হতে হয়।

2. Chandan:

Role: Tara's twin brother, co-actor of the drama.

Nature: sensitive, emotional, full of gilt, deep attachment to sister.

Specialty: The biggest sorrow in his life is that he was given the right of Tara, which his sister should have got.

Symbolism: He becomes a symbol of guilt and self -aggression - people who understand the injustice of society, but are unable to stop it.

Chandan is the face that shows the silence and compulsion of our society.

ভূমিকা: তারার যমজ ভাই, নাটকের সহ-অভিনেতা। প্রকৃতি: স্পর্শকাতর, আবেগপূর্ণ, দলাদলি পূর্ণ, বোনের প্রতি গভীর অনুরাগ। 

বিশিষ্টতা: তার জীবনে সবচেয়ে বড় দুঃখ হল যে তাকে তারার অধিকার দেওয়া হয়েছিল, যা তার বোনের পাওয়া উচিত ছিল। 

প্রতীকীবাদ: তিনি অপরাধবোধ ও আত্মগর্বিততার প্রতীক হয়ে ওঠেন - যে লোকেরা সমাজের অবিচার বুঝতে পারে, কিন্তু তা থামাতে অক্ষম। চন্দন হচ্ছে এমন এক মুখ যা আমাদের সমাজের নিরবতা এবং বাধ্যবাধকতা প্রদর্শন করে।

3. Bharti (Bharati - Mother):

Role: The mother of Tara and Chandan, who loves the daughter, takes the wrong decision under the pressure of the society.

Nature: Highly emotional, finally gets mentally broken by filled with guilt. Bharti is a woman who gets involved in the rules of society and sits in injustice to her own daughter.

Specialty: With the help of Doctor Thakur, she gets Tara's rights to Chandan.

Symbolism: She is a traditional mother, who changes the daughter's life with her decisions.

ভূমিকা: তারা ও চন্দন, যিনি মেয়েকে ভালবাসেন, সমাজের চাপে ভুল সিদ্ধান্ত নেন। 

প্রকৃতি: অত্যন্ত আবেগপূর্ণ, অবশেষে অপরাধ দ্বারা পূর্ণ হয়ে মানসিকভাবে ভেঙে যায়। ভারতী এমন একজন মহিলা যিনি সমাজের নিয়মের সাথে জড়িত হন এবং নিজের মেয়ের প্রতি অবিচার করেন। 

বিশিষ্টতা: ডাক্তার ঠাকুরের সহায়তায় তিনি চন্দনকে তারার অধিকার পান। 

প্রতীকীবাদ: তিনি একজন ঐতিহ্যগত মা, যিনি তার সিদ্ধান্ত অনুযায়ী মেয়ের জীবন পরিবর্তন করেন।

4. Patel Saheb (Mr. Patel - Father):

Role: Chandan and Tara's father, businessman and practical thinking.

Nature: Away from emotions, to keep the honor of society at the top.

Specialty: He knows the truth, but remains silent. His silence is the biggest crime.

Symbolism: In Indian society, men represent the rigorous, self-defense mentality of men.

Summary of the First Act (Act I):

Location and presentation:

The play begins with a small drawing room, where Chandan is lost in its thoughts and is trying to write. This scene currently decreases, but then through flashbacks the story returns to the events of the past.

Main events:

Chandan and Tara's conversation:

Both are twin siblings. They are very close and share very deep emotional relationships among themselves. The child's childhood is spent with physical disability, but mentally the star looks more competent and strong.

Family Tension:

His mother - Bharti - is highly emotional and protective of Tara, while father (Mr. Patel) is more formal and controlled in nature. His behavior towards Chandan is relatively more affectionate.

Glimpse of discrimination:

After the operation of both the children, the doctor suggested that one leg of Tara be given to Chandan, so that Chandan could become a "whole boy". The decision was injustice to Tara, but the family justified it for the "son's future".

Main themes:

Gender discrimination:

The drama shows how a daughter is considered inferior only because she is a girl. Tara was deliberately denied a healthy life.

Family and Social Expectations:

The family justifies their decisions in the name of "good", but they actually follow their social thinking.

Inner pain:

Both Chandan and Tara face many types of emotional conflicts inside them. Chandan suffers from guilt, while Tara gradually breaks down and breaks down.

Language and style:

The language of Mahesh Dattani is simple, interactive and influential. The play has beautifully used the flashback technology, showing the emotional duality of the past and the present.

The First Act (Act I) of "Tara" shocks the reader from an emotional and social perspective. This is not only the story of a girl, but the voice of millions of daughters who are victims of discrimination on the basis of gender in society.

"Tara" - Second Act (Act II) | Author: Mahesh Dattani | Summary and Analysis

Summary (Act II):

The Second Act (Act –II) of the play exposes the emotional and moral side of the play more deeply. In this, the disclosure of the truth, the secret of the hidden mysteries in the family and the whole picture of Tara are revealed.

Main events:

Dr. Thakur's Secret:

It is revealed that in the operation that separates Chandan and Tara's body, Dr. Thakur, who was close to his maternal grandfather (mother Bharati's father), deliberately gave Chandan to Chandan to make Chandan a healthy leg to benefit Chandan.

This decision was going to harm Tara's future, but this decision was taken with the consent of Bharti.

Mother's guilt:

Bharti gradually realizes that she has done injustice to Tara. She breaks mentally and tries to improve herself with her behavior towards Tara - but it is too late.

Bharti falls mentally ill, and eventually her mental balance deteriorates.

Father's behavior:

Patel Saheb always kept quiet and ignored everything as "goodness of the family". They seem away from emotions, worrying about society and prestige.

Tara's death:

At the end of the play it is clear that Tara has died. Her life ended not only by physical disability, but with the deceit found within the society and family.

Repent of Chandan:

Chandan does not forget Tara's memories. He considers himself a "donor" and suffers from deep guilt. He goes to London and starts calling himself "Dan", so that he can avoid his Indian and family past.

Main themes:

To expose the truth:

The second Act (Act –II) of the play reveals family deceit and truth - and the reader finds out how much injustice happened under the guise of love and care.

Crime and self -aggrandizement:

Chandan's character is a symbol of the fact that when a person ignores the truth, he is unable to forgive himself.

Criticism of patriarchal mentality:

The drama once again attacks the thinking that the son is superior and the daughter is the character of sacrifice. This thinking ends a talented life like Tara.

In the second Act (Act –II) of the play, emotional upheaval, revealing the truth and compassionate ends shocks the reader.

"Tara" is not just a drama - this is a question on the society that gives birth to daughters, but does not give them equal rights.

Important quotes and their interpretation:

1. "Tara is the one who has to suffer."

(There is only Tara who has to suffer.)

Explanation:

This line indicates how a girl has to suffer from discrimination of society and family throughout her life only because she is a girl.

 

2. "She’s Strong, More intelligent than i am." - Chandan

(She is more intelligent and stronger than me.)

Explanation:

This line shows Tara's real ability and ability, as well as shows that Chandan gives her heart respect.

 

3. "I could never give her what she really wanted - equality."

(I could never give her what she really wanted - equality.)

Explanation:

This sentence covers the central spirit of the entire play. Tara got love and sympathy throughout her life, but did not get equal rights.

 

4. "If only I had two legs… would thinks have been different?" - Tara

(I wish I had two legs too… would everything be different?)

Explanation:

This sentence reflects the internal pain of Tara. She knows that she did not get the opportunity only because she was physically weak - and that too because of someone else's mistake.

Conclusion:

Mahesh Dattani's "Tara" drama greatly exposes social reality, gender discrimination, and complexity of family relations with great sensitivity.

Its character is not only eligible, but mirrors of society. Its dialogues and events are equally relevant today.

Important Questions and Answers

Q 1: What is the main theme of the play, 'Tara'?

Answer: The main theme of the play, 'Tara' is gender discrimination. It is shown how the boy is preferred in the same family, while the girl is denied. Tara was deprived of her rights and brought physical benefits to her brother. This drama throws light on patriarchal thinking and injustice done to daughters.

Q 2: How do you see Tara and Chandan's relationship?

Answer: Tara and Chandan are twins, siblings, whose relationship is extremely emotional and intimate. Both understand and support each other. Chandan has guilt for Tara in his mind because he was given Tara's healthy leg. Tara is full of self -confidence but when she comes to know the truth, she breaks down. Their relationship is a mixture of love, cooperation and suffering.

Q 3: How is the father's role in the play?

Answer: The role of the father is a commercial and social structure of a man who takes the decision. He got the foot of Tara's part to Chandan as he used to give priority to the son. He is emotionally far away and never tries to understand Tara. His character is a symbol of patriarchal society.

Q 4: How is mother's character in the play, 'Tara'?

Answer: Mother, Bharti, is a woman suffering from an emotional and guilt. She played a role in injustice to Tara, but later she regrets and tries to give more love to Tara. Her character presents the form of a contradictory mother - which bends under social pressure on the one hand and feels guilty for her daughter on the other.

Q 5: What message does the end of the play give?

Answer: The end of the play is full of extreme pain and self -aggression. Tara's death and the self-interest of Chandan show how the injustice of a family affects the whole life. This indicates that gender discrimination can be disastrous not only for girls, but for the whole family.

Q 6: What is the symbolic significance of the name 'Tara' in the play?

Answer: The name 'Tara' means a star, which symbolizes light. In the play, Tara is a bright, stunning and emotionally strong girl, who fights for her existence. Although the society and family kept her in darkness, it stands for truth and justice. Her name becomes a symbol of female empowerment and self -confidence.

Q 7: How does the expression of Chandan to be expressed in the play?

Answer: Chandan blames himself after knowing the injustice done to Tara. He breaks mentally and leaves India and goes to London, so that he can stay away from his sister and memories of the past. He expresses his expressions through writing, but the memories of Tara bother him. His character represents guilt and escapism.

Q 8: How is the structural form of the play?

Answer: The play is written in the two-Act structure. It uses flashback technology between the present and the past. This theatrical form helps the audience reach the psychological level of the characters. The emotional effect of the play through dialogue, symbol and stage decoration deepens.

Q 9: Is the drama 'Tara' focus on gender distinction only?

Answer: Although the central theme of 'Tara' is gender distinction, the play also presents deeply to family relationships, self -power, social expectations, and human sensibilities. It also shows to what extent lies and parties can break the family. It is a multi -faceted social drama.

Q 10: What is the educational side of this play?

Answer: This drama teaches that it is inhuman to discriminate between girls and boys. Parents should love and justice their children equally. This drama inspires the society to reconsider how patriarchy causes mental damage not only to women but also men.

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