Tara is a renowned play by Indian playwright Mahesh Dattani, first performed in 1990. The play delves into complex themes of gender, identity, family dynamics, and societal expectations. Dattani, one of the most celebrated playwrights of contemporary Indian theatre, uses Tara as a vehicle to explore sensitive issues such as the biological and social construction of gender and the psychological effects of medical intervention. The story highlights the emotional and physical struggles of a pair of conjoined twins, Tara and Chandan, who are born with an unequal distribution of opportunities and privileges, and how this disparity affects their lives.
Tara is often considered a poignant critique of the traditional views on gender roles and social discrimination, making it a powerful and thought-provoking piece of theatre. The play’s universal themes of love, sacrifice, and the search for identity resonate with audiences worldwide, making it one of Dattani’s most celebrated works.
Characters
The play Tara features a rich ensemble of characters, each contributing to the emotional depth of the narrative. The primary characters include:
- Tara: The central female character who is born a conjoined twin with her brother Chandan. Initially, both twins share a single body, but due to medical complications, they are separated, and Tara is left with the less functional body. Despite this, Tara possesses a strong will and an emotional depth that makes her one of the most memorable characters in Indian theatre. Her struggle with identity, both physical and psychological, forms the crux of the play.
- Chandan: Tara’s twin brother, born with a more favorable share of the conjoined body. After their separation, Chandan leads a relatively normal life, enjoying privileges and opportunities that Tara is denied. While Chandan loves his sister, he remains conflicted and sometimes unable to understand her struggles. His character reflects the contrasting experiences of the twins, shaped by the physical and social circumstances of their lives.
- Mrs. Mehta: Tara and Chandan’s mother, a woman caught in the dilemma of being forced to make a difficult decision regarding her children’s surgery. Her emotions are torn between the hope for a better life for her children and the brutal reality of their physical and social limitations.
- Dr. Thakkar: The doctor who performs the surgery to separate Tara and Chandan. His character is instrumental in the unfolding of the plot, as his actions are pivotal in deciding the twins’ fate. He is an authoritative figure, representing the medical and scientific perspective on the twins’ condition.
- Auntie: Tara and Chandan’s aunt, who provides a more supportive and compassionate viewpoint in the play. Her character offers a contrast to the harsh realities presented by other characters.
- Father: Tara and Chandan’s father, who is not as prominently featured in the play but represents the larger, societal pressures that the family faces.
Summary of the Play
Tara begins with the adult Chandan recounting the story of his childhood, reflecting on the time when he and his twin sister were born. Initially conjoined at the waist, the twins are surgically separated to allow each of them to lead independent lives. However, the surgery, while seemingly successful, results in an unequal distribution of physical and emotional resources.
Chandan, who retains the better share of the body, grows up as a healthy and able-bodied child. Tara, on the other hand, is left with a deformed body, and her life is filled with struggle. Over time, the difference in their experiences becomes stark. While Chandan enjoys the privileges of a “normal” life, Tara is confined to a world of physical limitations and societal marginalization. The play explores the deep psychological impact of this disparity on both of them.
The narrative also focuses on the emotional and moral dilemmas faced by the family members, particularly Tara and Chandan’s parents. Their decisions, including the choice to undergo the surgery and the medical intervention, come under intense scrutiny. The play further examines the societal biases that shape the twins’ lives, where Tara’s suffering is exacerbated by her gender. Her struggles are not just physical but also a matter of social invisibility and marginalization.
As the play progresses, we learn more about the complex dynamics between the characters, the emotional turmoil of the family, and the tragic consequences of the separation surgery. The contrast between Tara and Chandan becomes symbolic of broader social issues such as the unequal treatment of men and women, and how physical appearance and gender roles influence one’s destiny.
The climax of the play unfolds as the adult Chandan reflects on his sister’s tragic fate. The audience is left with a sense of the emotional and social damage caused by the unequal treatment of the twins, and a critique of societal values that prioritize one life over another, based on arbitrary distinctions like gender.
Themes of the Play
- Gender and Identity: One of the primary themes of Tara is the exploration of gender and identity. Tara’s suffering is exacerbated by her gender, as the play critiques the ways in which society often values men over women. Gender roles are imposed on the characters from the very beginning, and the societal expectations based on physical appearance and gender norms shape their lives in profound ways.
- Social Discrimination and Bias: Tara’s life is a stark representation of social bias and discrimination. The play explores how societal expectations based on gender and physical appearance often dictate the value of a person’s life. Tara’s tragic fate is not just a result of her physical condition but is compounded by the biases ingrained in the family and society.
- Medical Ethics and Morality: The play raises questions about the ethics of medical interventions and the consequences of scientific advancements. The decision to separate the twins and the resulting physical and emotional consequences challenge the audience to think about the moral implications of such actions. Should medical decisions be left to the doctors, or should the wishes and well-being of the patients (or their families) be the priority?
- Family and Sacrifice: The theme of family is central to Tara, with a focus on the sacrifices that parents make for their children. The tension between the mother’s love for her children and the harsh realities of their condition provides an emotional anchor to the narrative. The play questions how far parents are willing to go for the sake of their children’s future, and whether they truly understand the long-term consequences of their decisions.
- Love and Resentment: While love and care are evident in the relationships between the characters, there is also an undercurrent of resentment and guilt. Chandan’s sense of guilt about the unequal fate of his sister, Tara, is a crucial emotional component of the play. The complex web of emotions between the characters demonstrates how love can sometimes be intertwined with feelings of powerlessness and regret.
- Isolation and Social Exclusion: Tara’s journey highlights the theme of isolation and exclusion. Despite her love and desire to live a full life, she is physically and socially excluded from many opportunities that Chandan, as a male and more “normal” twin, takes for granted. Tara’s physical condition becomes a metaphor for the broader social exclusion that individuals face when they deviate from the perceived norms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the central conflict in Tara?
The central conflict in Tara revolves around the unequal fate of the conjoined twins after they are surgically separated. Tara, who is born with the less functional share of the body, struggles with her physical and emotional limitations, while Chandan leads a life of normalcy and privilege. This disparity causes deep emotional conflict, especially within the family, and critiques societal values based on gender and appearance.
2. How does the play explore the theme of gender discrimination?
Tara’s tragic fate is exacerbated by her gender, highlighting how societal biases often favor men over women. While Chandan is able-bodied and enjoys a “normal” life, Tara faces physical challenges and societal marginalization. This unequal treatment is a commentary on the way society assigns value to individuals based on gender.
3. What role does the medical profession play in the story?
The medical profession plays a crucial role in Tara. Dr. Thakkar, the surgeon who separates the twins, represents the scientific and medical perspective. His decision to perform the surgery, while medically justified, results in tragic consequences for Tara. The play raises important ethical questions about the medical profession’s power to alter lives and the long-term impact of such decisions.
4. What is the significance of the title “Tara”?
The title Tara refers to the female twin, whose struggles and sacrifices form the emotional heart of the play. The title highlights the personal tragedy of Tara’s life, which is shaped by both her physical condition and the societal biases that diminish her worth.
5. How does the play portray the relationship between Chandan and Tara?
The relationship between Chandan and Tara is complex and filled with love, guilt, and resentment. While Chandan loves his sister, he is unable to fully understand or empathize with her struggles. As adults, both Chandan and Tara reflect on their shared past, and Chandan is tormented by guilt over the unequal fate of his sister.
7. What is the social commentary presented in Tara?
Tara critiques social structures that favor certain individuals based on physical attributes and gender. It highlights the inequalities that exist within society, particularly with regard to gender roles, medical decisions, and social exclusion. The play asks audiences to reflect on how these biases shape people’s lives and destinies.