The Unsung Princess of Lanka: A Critical Analysis of Patriarchy and Power in Kavita Kane's The Lanka's Princess

Author(s)	Dr. Visweswaraiah S
Country	India
Abstract	Indian mythology has always been narrated from a patriarchal perspective, where women are either idealized as goddesses or demonized. Kavita Kane's novel The Lanka's Princess (2017) is a significant attempt at feminist mythopoeia that reclaims the story of Surpanakha, the most misunderstood and vilified character of the Ramayana. Traditionally portrayed as a lustful and ugly demoness whose mutilation was justified, Surpanakha in Kane's hands becomes a woman of flesh and blood - a daughter, a sister, a widow, and a lover seeking acceptance. This paper aims to critically analyze how Kane deconstructs the patriarchal power structures that operate in both the epic and contemporary society. Through the lens of feminist literary theory and Foucauldian power dynamics, the study explores how female sexuality is policed, how beauty becomes a tool for othering, and how a woman becomes a site for political warfare. The paper argues that by giving a voice to the unsung princess of Lanka, Kane is not just revisiting an ancient myth but is reinterpreting it for the modern woman who dares to desire, to speak, and to choose.
Keywords	Kavita Kane, The Lanka's Princess, Surpanakha, Feminist Retelling, Patriarchy, Power, Mythopoeia, Gender, Ramayana
Field	Arts
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 2, March-April 2026
Published On	2026-03-06
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i02.88233

About IJFMR Fees & Payment Current Issue Publication Archive	Submit Research Paper Track Submission Status Publication Guidelines Publication Ethics Peer Review & Plagiarism	Join as a Reviewer Editors & Reviewers Reviewer Referral Program Get Reviewer Membership Certi.	Website/Journal Policies Usage Policy Content Policies Privacy Policy

Contact Us		+91-9687-828-838	editor@ijfmr.com

International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research