Unfurling the Unfathomed: Kavita Kane's Lanka's Princess, an Incredible Transformation of Chandranakha to Surpanakha

Authors

  • Sarika Chandran Research Scholar, Department of English, School of Liberal Arts and Special Education, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu - 626126, INDIA.
  • Dr. C. Jothi Assistant Professor, Department of English, School of Liberal Arts and Special Education,

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55544/sjmars.5.1.1

Keywords:

Parental favoritism, Surpanakha, myths of beauty, nails, vengeance

Abstract

This article examines "parental favouritism," as depicted in Kavita Kane's mythopoeic narrative Lanka's Princess (2017). The study based on the psychological paradigm favouritism of parents.  In Lanka's Princess, the parent-child relationship is a dominant focus. This research focuses on two main issues: (1) how the concepts of parental partiality of love are depicted in the story, and (2) what effects these parental attitudes have on family relationships. Most myths perpetuate this notion, giving systemic patriarchy the dominant position beneath the veneer of divinity and supernatural activities. Mythopoeia, or mythical retelling, opposes this ideology by displacing hegemonic powers from their central positions and allowing the margin to express its views and opinions, as well as raise its voice against injustice. Surpanakha is a significantly less favoured child, according to the present analysis. Her brothers, whom her parents affectionately refer to as 'Sons,' are her parents' favourites. Her parents have an aversion to her, which they justify by pointing out a few of her defects. Surpanakha observes with astonishment and shock as her parent’s affection towards Ravana, Kumbakarna and Vibhishana which incite Surpanakha's mental devastation by offering unreasonable justifications.

References

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[5] Evans, A., & Evans, T. (2006). The Kingdom Agenda: What a Way to Live!. Moody Publishers

[6] Kane, Kavita.(2017). Lanka’s Princess. Rupa.

[7] Singh, Akanksha. (2 Sept. 2020). "How India's Ancient Myths Are Being Rewritten." BBC Culture, BBC, www.bbc.com/culture/article/20190902-how-Indias-ancient-myths- are-being-rewritten.

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Published

2026-02-06

How to Cite

Chandran, S., & Jothi, C. (2026). Unfurling the Unfathomed: Kavita Kane’s Lanka’s Princess, an Incredible Transformation of Chandranakha to Surpanakha. Stallion Journal for Multidisciplinary Associated Research Studies, 5(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.55544/sjmars.5.1.1