Volume V Special Issue III August 2025

Name of Author : Dr Archana Sharma

Title of the paper : The Role of Women and Femininity in Kamla Markandayas Nectar in a Sieve

Abstract: This paper examines the multifaceted roles of women and the evolving expressions of femininity in Kamala Markandayas Nectar in a Sieve. Focusing on the experiences of protagonist Rukmani and her daughter Ira, the analysis explores how traditional societal expectations for women are both upheld and dramatically subverted amidst escalating rural poverty, natural calamities, and the disruptive forces of industrialisation. The study will reveal how characters like Rukmani demonstrate remarkable resilience, practical agency, and emotional fortitude, transcending conventional domestic roles to become the anchors of their struggling families. Furthermore, Iras narrative explores the challenges of societal honour as acts of love and survival. Ultimately, this paper argues that Markandayas novel offers a powerful commentary on the inherent strength of Indian women, showcasing their profound capacity for endurance, adaptation, and their central role in sustaining life against overwhelming odds.

Keywords : Multifaceted, Escalating, Industrialisation, Adaptation, Sustaining Life

DOI :

Page Number : 54-57