'Manashi' or 'Manushi'- Satyajit Ray's Treatment of Women

Abstract

This paper attempts to analyse the de-mythologisation of Indian and particularly Bengali womanhood, that in the author's opinion, is to be found in Satyajit Ray's movies. These myths have been erected by the male ego, the male conscience and the male gaze. Diverse factors have contributed to the build-up of these stereotypes in pre- and post-Independence periods. These factors have been studied during the course of this paper.