WOMEN ISSUES IN THE CINEMAS OF BHABENDRANATH SAIKIA

Abstract

Cinema as a medium of communication and as an art form reflect socio-cultural elements or the historical past. It depicts the social realities in various ways. It has great social significance. Women in cinemas were confined largely to the traditional, patriarchal frame-work of the Indian society. The ordinary woman has hardly been visible in cinema. Women were represented as upholders of traditions, family bonding, thus depriving them of any sense of power and agency. Women were depicted as passive, submissive wives as perfect figures and martyrs for their own families. Many filmmakers who believe that cinema is the art of expression and mirror to the real world. Bhabendranath Saikia is one such serious filmmaker of Assam who makes films with diverse social issues. Some of his films represent the issue of gender inequality. In this paper an attempt will be made to analyze the gender inequality and various issues of women in films of Bhabendranath Saikia.