Three Sisterss In Indian Women, By Bharathi Mukharji

ABSTRACT
Globalization seems to have brought a sea change in many post-colonial nations. Cultural hybridity is a positive consequence of globalization. Consequently there is a conflict in the diasporic communities between the majority and minority cultures. It is difficult to be estranged from one’s native culture. A desire to establish an identity in a new culture appears to be desirable and difficult. Bharathi Mukharji focuses on the quest for identity of the diasporic women and shows the varied concept of identity among the sisters of the same family. The fact that disassociation from culture is not necessary to resolve identity crisis, and a woman can establish an identity of her own within the cultural framework is highlighted.
Key Words:
I am above and find my way. The novel probes and studies the penetrable truth that lies behind this epigraph by taking the lives of three sisters born in an affluent traditional, Bengali – Brahmin family. The concept of identity and self – acknowledge is found in the three sisters in varying degrees. Padma, Parvathi and Taralata are the three desirable daughters of the novel – good looking, educated, born and brought up in a traditional post independence westernized Indian family. They are the representatives of both Indian as well as western cultures. The story is presented through the perspective of Tara. According to Tara “Sisters three are we …. As like blossoms on a tree” (P.21). In her view, the three sisters had a long childhood but no adolescence. “…. Although we didn’t have an adolescence and we were never teenagers”. (P.27) “Our bodies changed but our behavior never did” (PP 27-28) “My life was one long childhood while I was thrown into marriage” (P.28) The only comfort they were allowed to enjoy was convent education since it guaranteed poise, proficiency in English
They prove themselves to be desirable by their good looks and behavior and by gracing the cover of popular magazines. The eldest of them, Padma, even had the opportunity of being selected by Satyajit Ray for one of his films but was not allowed to act. Though they seemed to have liberty it was confined to the four walls of the house and to the parties organized by their father in the house. They were more like decorated dolls moving around to attract the attention of the guests and to prove how beautiful are the Bhattachrjee daughters. It is evident from the fact that their “Car was equipped with window shades. They had a driver, and the driver had a guard” (P.29). Into such an atmosphere entered a Christian friend Poppey Dey and her brother, Ronald Dey. Padma, the eldest had an affair with Ronald, the heartthrob of most of the teenage Bengali girls of the time and becomes pregnant. To suppress the matter she was sent to Switzerland by her parents in the guise of pursuit of higher studies. After giving birth to a child Padma moves to London and from there to New York seeking a new life. When her father sends a proposal of marriage and expects her to come back to Calcutta. Padma