Mahashweta is an inspiring story of courage and resilience in a world marred by illusions and betrayals. This poignant tale offers hope and solace to the victims of the prejudices that govern society even today.
Anupama looked into the mirror and shivered with shock. A small white patch had now appeared on her arm.’ Anupama’s fairytale marriage to Anand falls apart when she discovers a white patch on her foot and learns that she has leukoderma. Abandoned by her uncaring in-laws and insensitive husband, she is forced to return to her father’s home in the village.
The social stigma of a married woman living with her parents, her steother’s continual barbs and the ostracism that accompanies her skin condition force her to contemplate suicide. Determined to rebuild her life against all odds, Anupama goes to Bombay where she finds success, respect and the promise of an enduring friendship.
‘Mahashweta’ is based on a very sensitive subject – Vitiligo. The story is poignant and expressed in very simple language by Sudha Murthy. In this story, she clearly explains how insensitively our society behaves towards a person who is suffering from Vitiligo, educated or not!
Dr Anand falls head over heels in love with beautiful Anupama when he sees her for the first time and soon marries her. Later Anand flies to England for his higher studies leaving Anu behind, telling her to join him, meanwhile, Anu is diagnosed with leukoderma/ Vitiligo. All alone with no one to take care of her, she seeks emotional support and soothing words from Anand. Being a doctor himself she has full faith in him, but all she gets in return is his aloofness. Her faith is tested in every step from there on, neither she is allowed to live peacefully in her in-law’s place nor her parents. That is when she takes her life into her own hands and decides to live independently without any inhibitions and succeeds in the end.
Though the ending is not ‘happy-ever-after nevertheless it is inspiring and uplifting enough.
