Using the example of Kumud Pawade, show how the process of sanskritisation is gendered.

Question 8:Using the example of Kumud Pawade, show how the process of sanskritisation is gendered.

The correct answer is – Kumud Pawade, an Indian woman from a lower-caste background, is an example of how the process of sanskritisation is gendered. Sanskritisation is a social process by which lower-caste groups adopt the customs, rituals, and practices of higher-caste groups in an effort to elevate their social status.

Kumud Pawade’s story illustrates how women from lower-caste backgrounds often bear the brunt of the gendered effects of sanskritisation. In her effort to achieve social mobility, Kumud adopted upper-caste practices such as observing strict vegetarianism, dressing modestly, and practicing yoga and meditation. However, these practices were often imposed upon her by male family members and religious leaders, who saw them as ways to control and regulate her behavior.

Kumud’s journey also involved her being married into an upper-caste family, where she was expected to conform to the expectations of her new social status. This included adopting upper-caste customs such as wearing a bindi and dressing in traditional sarees, as well as conforming to strict gender norms that confined her to domestic duties.

Furthermore, Kumud’s journey towards sanskritisation often involved the erasure of her lower-caste identity and the subjugation of her gender identity. She was encouraged to disassociate from her lower-caste community and its customs, and to adopt the practices and beliefs of the upper-caste group to which she aspired. This often involved internalizing gender norms that were oppressive and limiting, and that perpetuated gender inequality.

In summary, Kumud Pawade’s story illustrates how the process of sanskritisation can be gendered, with women often bearing the brunt of the oppressive and limiting gender norms that are associated with upper-caste practices. The process often involves the erasure of lower-caste and gender identities, and the adoption of practices and beliefs that perpetuate gender inequality.