THE ISSUE OF EUNUCH IN DATTANI’S SEVEN STEPS AROUND THE FIRE

Abstract

Subaltern are the marginalised class of people. They are kept away from the hegemonic power. The term is derived from the work 'cultural hegemony'. Subalterns are away from the socio-political structure of the society. They are deprived of political representation. Excluded from the established structure of the society they are secluded in in one area framing a society e of their own. They are not the part of the mainstream of life. They are virtually ostracised from the society.

Today the term subaltern has acquired an extensive connotation. Initially, the metaphor signified any subordinate portions. In the present global scenario subaltern represents a variegated section which is isolated from the rest by certain yardsticks. For instance, racial subalterns are segregated on colour differences such as the Blacks of Africa or the ethnic subalterns who stand secluded due to this ethnic root and are often found in minority groups Globally the Jews fall within the periphery while in India the Parsis and the Anglo-Indians belong to this category In India a large chunk of the society is discriminated on the basis of the traditional caste system. Hence, they are also the subalterns. For that matter, women have been regarded as subalterns both in pre and post independent India Quite recently attention has been drawn towards another group of subalterns-gays, lesbians, and eunuchs who are often treated as 'untouchables' in a different sense. The eunuch suffers psychologically as well as biologically. While the gays and lesbians bear the brunt psychologically. Widening the horizon of the term we may infer that the old people, the working class, the poor and the immigrants are visualized as subalterns.