The Evolution of Selfhood in Kavita Kane’s Ahalya’s Awakening

Abstract

Kavita Kane’s Ahalya’s Awakening offers a feminist reinterpretation of the Ahalya myth by transforming a
traditionally silenced figure into a self-aware woman who reclaims her identity. This paper examines the evolution
of Ahalya’s selfhood through feminist literary criticism and contemporary myth retelling. Unlike the conventional
Ramayana, Kane portrays Ahalya as an intelligent and emotionally complex woman whose identity is shaped by
knowledge, emotional neglect, betrayal and self-realisation. The study analyses how patriarchal structures restrict
her aspirations, how her marriage erodes her individuality and how her transformation into stone symbolises
introspection rather than punishment. The paper argues that Kane redefines the myth as a narrative of resilience,
autonomy and female empowerment, presenting Ahalya’s journey as a powerful assertion of identity and personal
freedom