Postmodernist Reading of Rabindranath Tagore's Chitra

<p>Abstract<br>Rabindranath Tagore's Chitra, a lyrical drama inspired by the Mahabharata, offers a<br>rich text for a postmodern analysis, exploring themes of identity, gender roles, and cultural<br>norms. The present research article examines the play through the application of<br>postmodernist theories, with a focus on Jean-François Lyotard’s concept of fragmentation,<br>Judith Butler's theory of gender performativity, and Michel Foucault's views on power and<br>discourse. Tagore’s reinterpretation of the traditional narrative highlights the fluidity of<br>identity and critiques the rigid social norms of his time. By employing a postmodern approach,<br>this analysis reveals the multiplicity of perspectives in Chitra, shedding light on how Tagore<br>subverts fixed identities and challenges dominant ideologies. The play's engagement with<br>intertextuality and its critique of cultural norms serve as a powerful reflection on the<br>complexities of human experience, inviting readers to question societal constructs and<br>embrace a more nuanced understanding of identity and desire.<br>Keywords: Postmodernism, fragmentation, gender performativity, intertextuality, identity.</p>