The story of Duravastha

 Here is the story of "Duravastha" by Kumaranasan:



Sarada was a young woman who lived in a small village in Kerala. She was born into a poor family and had limited education. Despite her circumstances, Sarada was a bright and ambitious young woman who dreamed of a better life.



When Sarada was 18 years old, her parents arranged for her to marry a man named Govindan. Govindan was a wealthy merchant who was much older than Sarada. He was also cruel and abusive, but Sarada's parents did not know this.



Sarada was reluctant to marry Govindan, but she had no choice. She was forced to leave her family and move to Govindan's house. There, she was treated poorly by Govindan and his family. They saw her as a servant rather than a wife.



As time passed, Sarada became increasingly unhappy. She was isolated and alone, with no one to turn to. Govindan was cruel and abusive, and Sarada lived in constant fear of him.



One day, Sarada met a kind and compassionate woman named Janaki. Janaki was a social worker who had dedicated her life to helping women like Sarada. She saw the sadness and desperation in Sarada's eyes and knew that she had to help.



Janaki began to visit Sarada regularly, bringing her food and clothes. She also taught Sarada how to read and write, and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. Slowly but surely, Sarada began to regain her confidence and self-esteem.



But Govindan was not happy about Janaki's visits. He saw her as a threat to his authority and began to suspect that Sarada was having an affair with her. One day, he accused Sarada of being unfaithful and beat her brutally.



Sarada was devastated. She realized that she could not stay with Govindan any longer and decided to leave him. But she had nowhere to go and no one to turn to.



Janaki, however, was determined to help Sarada. She took her to a women's shelter and helped her to get a job. Slowly but surely, Sarada began to rebuild her life.



As Sarada looked back on her experiences, she realized that she had been living in a state of "duravastha" - a state of helplessness and powerlessness. But with Janaki's help, she had been able to break free from that state and take control of her life.



The story of "Duravastha" is a powerful commentary on the social and economic conditions of women in Kerala during the early 20th century. It highlights the struggles and challenges faced by women like Sarada, who were forced into marriages and situations that were detrimental to their well-being. But it also offers a message of hope and empowerment, suggesting that women can break free from their circumstances and take control of their lives.

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