GENDER CONTEXTS AND THE MARGINALIZATION OF MEN IN MAHESH DATTANI'S WHERE THERE’S A WILL: A STUDY THROUGH CONNELL’S THEORY OF MASCULINITY

Abstract

Marginalization is the social process of relegating specific groups or political views to the sides of society whose most significant aspects either do not benefit from participation in a general credit system, having no access or willing participants. Men can also be marginalized, especially if they don't fit in with mainstream gender standards. “Masculinities are shaped by social institutions- social norms and practices” (Sitha & Khan, 2022). In India, masculinity is also associated with social, religious and cultural contexts. Indian masculinity is a construct that is affected by caste systems, family traditions, expectations, and economic conditions. Mahesh Dattani's plays explore gender, identity, and societal expectations in a nuanced way through the portrayal of disenfranchised males. Where There's a Will, explores the conflicts men face in pursuing their own identities in opposition to societal norms and patriarchal power structures. The play is analyzed through the lens of ‘Masculinity Theory’ propounded by Connell.