A comparative study of physical and psychological trauma in Mahabharata and Indian films Mom (2017) and Bhoomi (2017)

Abstract

This thesis examines the multifaceted representation of physical and psychological trauma emerging from gender-based violence, which will be focusing on the themes of brutality, enforced silence, and the complex aftermath in cultural narratives and real world incidents. Drawing on trauma theory such as Cathy Caruth, Judith Herman, and Elaine Scarry this study will highlight a comparative feminist lens to analyze how those elements are connected across mythology, literature, cinema and contemporary real life cases focusing on women’s experiences in patriarchal societies. Draupadi in the Mahabharata, whose public humiliation symbolized the humiliation and psychological violation, compounded by the societal silence from complicated elders. The Bollywood film Mom (2017), starring Sridevi, shifts to cinematic vengeance the film conveys unspoken suffering and the moral ambiguities of revenge, empowering the silenced victims through proxy. The Bollywood film Bhoomi (2017), also showed cinematic vengeance on a paternal perspective on the “protective” patriarch’s reaction to sexual abuse. Both the film Mom (2017) and Bhoomi (2017) provide a gendered comparison of vengeance. Through these comparisons of cross-medium, this thesis will reveal the violence of patriarchal assertion, silence as secondary victimization and aftermath empowerment and justice. Ultimately, this study argues that breaking silence through representation fosters collective resistance, contributes to trauma studies, feminist discourse, and calls for policy reform in addressing gender-based violence.