Corresponding Author's : Rituraj Anand

Abstract :

Representation of disability has always found its way in literature and cinema in one form or the Rother.The concept of Representation to Re-presentation of disability in literature and cinema stresses on the evolution of portraying the impaired characters in a positive light. It revolves around the breaking of all stereotypes and prejudices from the past to broadening the horizon of cultural mindset of people in the present. As reflected by numerous categories of written works, often disability is equated with negativity, where such characters are to be feared of and dehumanized in a subsidiary plot; presenting disability as catastrophic or a burden for the affected people and those around them. For example, Shakuni having contorted legs from Hindu epic Mahabharata, and the crippled Bijjaldev from the movie Bahubali depict the streaming of evil-impaired people responsible for massive bloodshed. Whereas, the character of Rani Mukerji in Black and Ranbir Kapoor in Barfi shares the optimistic life of deaf and dumb young people; breaking the barriers of evil portrayal of the impaired individuals. Similarly, in literature, Quasimodo with a severe hunchback is revealed to have a kind heart, as well as Auggie, with a rare medical facial deformity succeeded in proving that there was a lot more to him than what meets the attention of naked eyes. The idea of the paper through the above examples is to study the evolution of Representation of Disability with time –in which disabled people are now seen with a different lens, and are Represented as the 'specially-abled' or 'people with extraordinary bodies' in our society. With the understanding of the above swot, there will definitely be an acceptance and absorption of disables by the society, in general and literary community, in particular. It clearly shows the well-sighted Representation of the formerly Represented mentality of society on Disability.

Keywords :

Disability, Representation, Re-presentation, Specially-abled, Cinema, Literature

Article Details

Unique Paper ID: 17

Publication Volume & Issue: VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 1

Page(s): 89-96

Article Preview & Download

Share This Article