The Forgotten Feminine: Urmila's Plight and the Effects of Patriarchal Feminism in Kavita Kane’s Sita’s Sister

This article explores the neglected character of Urmila in Sita’s Sister by Kavita Kane, analyzing her plight in the context of patriarchal feminism. While Indian scriptures such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata glorify female figures like Sita and Draupadi, they simultaneously silence secondary women whose sacrifices are no less significant. The study begins by situating women’s status in Indian cultural and religious traditions, where goddess worship and the Panchakanya hymn present an image of inclusivity. Yet, this veneration often masks the deeper mechanisms of patriarchy that celebrate only those women who conform to its norms. The paper uses Kavita Kane’s retelling of Urmila’s narrative as a lens to re-examine these cultural constructs and foreground the silenced voices. The analysis applies feminist literary criticism to highlight the contrast between the limited representation of Urmila in Valmiki’s Ramayana and the fuller, resistant portrayal in Kane’s novel. The findings suggest that Urmila embodies resilience, wisdom, and selflessness, yet remains marginalized because she questions patriarchal norms, unlike the canonized Panchakanyas whose sanctity is rooted in submission. By juxtaposing Urmila’s silencing with examples like Surpanakha’s demonization, the paper demonstrates how patriarchal feminism operates as a subtle but powerful tool of control. The discussion concludes that Kane’s narrative challenges these silences, reclaiming Urmila’s voice and revealing the contradictions within cultural respect for women—where reverence often conceals oppression.