TRIUMPH TRANSCENDING VICTIMHOOD: PORTRAYAL OF ‘DRAUPADI’ IN CHITRA BANNERJEE DIVAKARUNI’S THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS

Draupadi is an exemplary character, despite being the victim of circumstances and patriarchal social norms that had vice like control over her destiny; she remained defiant and determined to act in her own wily way rather than being a passive player. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni revisits the absorbing saga of Mahabharata in her work The Palace of Illusions to bring out the psyche of Draupadi in a more contemporary perspective. The tale here is narrated by Draupadi herself, and voice is a powerful one making her the embodiment of self will and defiance.