Kanyadaan: Character Mind Map & Summary
The key characters of Vijay Tendulkar's Kanyadaan (1983), grouped into branches, with the key episodes, a quick summary and the exam facts that come up again and again in UGC NET.
The Character Mind Map
Tap any name to open the details.
Nath Devalalikar
A socialist politician who believes in ending caste. He encourages his daughter to marry a Dalit poet, and must watch the marriage turn violent.
Ending: shaken in his ideals👑 Family
The DevalalikarsJyotiNath's daughter
Role: Marries Arun; finally chooses to stay with him and rejects her father.
SevaNath's wife
Role: A social worker; doubtful of the marriage.
JayaprakashNath's son
Role: The younger child.
🏠 The Husband
The poetArun AthavaleA Dalit poet
Role: Gifted but violent; he beats Jyoti.
Key Episodes
The turning points examiners love to ask about.
Quick Summary
The story, stage by stage.
Act 1Idealism
- The marriage.
Act 2Reality
- Violence.
Act 3Choice
- Jyoti's decision.
Must-Know Exam Facts
Quick points for UGC NET, SET and PGT.
Title
Kanyadaan: the ritual "gift of a daughter" in marriage.
Award
Saraswati Samman (1993).
Theme
Caste, idealism vs reality.
Controversy
Criticised by some Dalit writers.
Additional Revision Notes
Further plot, character and exam-focused literary insights.
Intercaste Marriage
Jyoti, from a socially progressive family, marries the Dalit poet Arun Athavale. The marriage tests ideals of equality in intimate life.
Nath's Ideals
Jyoti's father Nath Devalalikar supports progressive principles, but the family's experience forces questions about the limits of abstract political conviction.
Critical Issue
The play examines caste oppression, emotional violence and the difference between proclaimed reform and lived reality. Avoid reading its characters as simple representatives of entire communities.
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