https://doi.org/10.67147/literariness.v1i2.021
The Absent Mother: Narrativising Disabled Motherhood in Malayalam Films
Dr. Indu P.
Assistant Professor
Department of English
NMSM Government College
Kalpetta, Kerala, India
ORCID: 0000-0002-2612-324X
Abstract: This paper aims to unveil the cultural and societal stigma around motherhood and disability. The idea of mothering upholds the image of an able-bodied, healthy, selfless, nurturing mother. Disability challenges this stereotype. The idea of a mother with disability jeopardizes societal expectations since disabled women may be seen as demanding care rather than providing care. This led to disabled mothers being largely unrepresented in films and literature. The study analyzes select Malayalam films to unravel the reasons behind the sparse portrayals of disabled mothers. While Malayalam cinema has addressed motherhood and disability separately, the representation of disabled mothers is comparatively absent. Even when they are presented , they are often desexualised and are the recipients of pity and compassion. The reasons for the lack of disabled mothers on-screen is rooted in cultural stigma and anxiety. The paper employs critical content analysis and close reading of Malayalam films to argue that disabled motherhood is often viewed as problematic based on the conviction that disabled bodies do not embody the all sacrificing, selfless, yet powerful image of a mother.
Keywords: Motherhood, Malayalam Cinema, Disability Studies
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