Ecofeminist Reading Of Select Indian Classics

Abstract

Ecofeminism is a twentieth century academic discipline which is a feminist concern with ecology. It is easy to trace the history of ecofeminism than define it because ecofeminism is an umbrella term that encompasses many diverse schools of thought drawing on numerous disciplines and these schools of thought contradict each other. Despite contradictions what unite ecofeminists is their common goal of restoring the quality of the natural environment and providing quality life to the living and non-living inhabitants of the planet. The concern for environment is inherent in Indian culture as evident from the ecofeminist reading of the select Indian classics namely, Valmiki’s epic Ramayana, Kalidasa’s famous play Abhijnanasakuntalam and Tagore’s play Raktakarabi (1924).