Rewriting Myth: The Quest for Self-Realisation in Githa Hariharan’s Thousand Faces Of Night

Abstract

Githa Hariharan’s The Thousand Faces of Night presents a profound exploration of women’s search for self-realization within the socio-cultural framework of Indian society. The novel portrays the lives of women who struggle against patriarchal norms, traditional expectations, and restrictive gender roles while seeking individuality, freedom, and personal identity. Through the interconnected experiences of Devi, Sita, and Mayamma, Hariharan examines the psychological, emotional, and social challenges that shape women’s lives across generations. Drawing upon myth, history, and cultural traditions, the novel reinterprets female experiences to reveal the resilience and inner strength of women. The female characters negotiate the tensions between duty and desire, silence and self-expression, ultimately highlighting self-realization as a process of self-discovery, resistance, and empowerment. This article examines how Hariharan employs mythological allusions and realistic narration to challenge patriarchal structures and redefine women’s identities in contemporary India. It argues that The Thousand Faces of Night is not merely a story of women’s suffering but a powerful narrative of transformation, self-awareness, and the pursuit of individual freedom.