Cursed Indian Male

Marriage and Sakharam Binder, The play

"Sakharam Binder" is a very famous play in marathi, and has
been translated into other languages. It generated a lot of
controversy, when it was first performed on stage in 1972, and
was banned later around 1974. It was written by Vijay
Tendulkar, who wrote on social issues and was a staunch
feminist. The play was criticized, because the central character
was a man, who didn't believed in the institution of marriage.

The story Sakharam Binder is about a man, who doesn't

believes in marriage. He stays in a live-in relationship with
women. Before entering into a relationship, he makes clear to
the women, that either party can break the relationship and go
on their own separate way. He tells them upfront, that they
have to do the duties of husband and wife. If they separate, he
will give her money and new clothes. His life is going on in this
way. His neighbour, is very envious of Sakharam. Each of his
relationship lasts from a few months, to a few years. He starts
living with a women (lets call her Savitri), who is shown to be
very obedient and religious. The writer has tried to portray her
as a timid, helpless women (abla-naari). Savitri has a habit of
talking with herself. Savitri talks very little with Sakharam.
Savitri does has verbal fights with Sakharam sometimes. After
some time, Sakharam says that their personalities don't match,
and that they should separate. This supposedly homely women,
who used to say him, that I have lots of people to depend on,
now tells him, that she would like to stay with him. After some
discussion, they decide to separate.

Later Sakharam starts living with another women, lets call her
Shurpanakha. Shurpanakha is shown to be very aggressive,
bold, beautiful and doesn't listens to Sakharam. Sakharam, tells
here, that if she is staying with him, he is providing her with
money, and she has to cook and have intercourse with him.
Once her ex-husband, comes to their house, and says that he
wants Shurpanakha back. Her ex-husband is a police officer.
But Shurpanakha doesn't wants to go back, and tells him to get
out. Her ex-husband, says he is very fond of her, and even likes
the beatings he gets from Shurpanakha. Still Shurpanakha
throws him out. The life of this couple is going on. One day,
Savitri comes back and pleads Sakharam to take her back.
Sakharam doesn't wants her, but Shurpanakha tells him to allow
Savitri to stay. Shurpanakha says, Savitri will be of help to her
in household chores. Sakharam doesn't likes savitri but obeys
Shurpanakha, and Savitri starts staying with them.
After some time, Savitri observes that Shurpanakha has physical
relationship with Sakharam's neighbour. Savitri doesn't likes
that and starts poisoning Sakharam's mind about Shurpanakha.
Due to this constant poisoning of Sakharam's mind, one day, in
a fit of anger, he hits Shurpanakha, and Shurpanakha dies.
Sakharam is very stunned, as to what has happened. His limbs
become im-mobile, and he is very sorry for what he has done,
and gets very scared. However at this moment, Savitri consoles
him, and says don't worry. Savitri starts talking about how bad
Shurpanakha was, and that Sakharam, has done a good job by
killing her. Savitri tells Sakharam not to worry, and be happy
that the evil women has died. Savitri tells Sakharam to dispose
of Shurpanakha's body and says no one will know. Sakharam
follows her advise, and buries Shurpanakha.

This play is hailed by feminists since it highlights male

dominance, and how women are always the victim. When I saw
this play, I was amused. Since this play in fact, shows how
scheming women are. Even the kind, who are shown as timid,
and abused by men. It is Savitri who poisons Sakharam's mind
and provokes him to murder Shurpankha. And still Savitri is the
victim ??? Both the women are evil, but are portrayed as
victims.

All such thoughts of women being always the victim no

matter what the real facts are, stem from the male-hating
environment, which has prevailed from centuries. Real facts
do not matter. All facts, are twisted to show, how women is
the victim, and men are the perpetrator of evil deeds. Such
mindsets has given birth to the current perverted Marriage
Amendment Bill, which states that women is always the
victim, and every husband has to pay for it. Such laws will
be applicable to live-in relationships too. So those who do
not marry aren't safe either :)