Revisiting the Concept of Sati in Contemporary India: A Study of Indu Sundaresan’s The Faithful Wife

Abstract

In addition to her five critically acclaimed novels, Indu Sundaresan, a well-known figure in modern Indian English writing, enhances her creative environment with a gripping collection of short stories named In the Convent of Little Flowers. The nine moving stories in this anthology deftly examine various social, cultural, and psychological issues that are pervasive in contemporary Indian society. Even though each story explores a different topic, they are all connected by the actual experiences and hardships of Indian women. The stories highlight the systematic inequalities, cultural norms, and gender inequality that women still experience, which makes the collection a rich source for feminist study. Among these tales, “The Faithful Wife” is particularly noteworthy for its potent reflection on the continued significance of the Sati ritual that has historically been connected to the burning of widows. Even though Sati is illegal, Sundaresan shows its philosophy still influences society, where women are supposed to be devoted, frequently at the expense of their identity, agency, and independence. The narrative challenges the way that women’s voices and wants are often suppressed while they are forced to adhere to repressive traditions by cultural and familial constraints. Although there are laws against practices like Sati, their uneven implementation reveals the underlying patriarchal structure of society and betrays a flimsy commitment to gender justice. By closely examining “The Faithful Wife”, this paper explores the themes of sacrifice, devotion, and the tension between tradition and modernity. It emphasises how important it is to reconsider the dominant discourses of justice, liberty, and equality in India. Ultimately, Sundaresan’s work exposes the fallacy of modern assertions of women’s empowerment and advocates for a more sincere and persistent attempt to uphold women’s rights and personal autonomy in a society that is changing quickly.