LOCATING THE POSITION OF WOMEN IN MEDIEVAL ASSAM THROUGH THE PRISM OF PERFORMATIVE AND VISUAL ARTS

In this essay we will make an attempt to see what role performative and visual arts i.e. Vaishnava drama and illustrated manuscript paintings respectively and the biographies of the Vaishnava saints played in reconstructing the gender imagery. We will see how the gender biased representations in both performative and visual arts influenced the role of women in the domestic establishments and the notion of chastity attached to them. At the same time we will also have a glance at prevalence of polygamy during medieval Assam and how the performative and visual representations justified it's prevalence and led to its acceptance.