The Role of Symbolism and Ritual in Mahesh Dattani’s Seven Steps Around the Fire

Abstract: Mahesh Dattani’s Seven Steps Around the Fire (1999) is an exemplary play that weaves together emotional conflict, cultural expectations, and personal identity. One of the most significant aspects of the play is the use of symbolism and ritual, which Dattani employs to underline deeper societal issues, such as gender roles, marriage, and the struggle for personal freedom within traditional structures. This paper analyses how Dattani uses rituals, specifically the seven steps taken during a Hindu wedding ceremony, as a metaphor for the emotional and psychological journey of the central characters. The study examines how rituals in Seven Steps Around the Fire reflect the complexities of human relationships, particularly in the context of marriage, while simultaneously critiquing the pressures of tradition.