Echoes of Silence: The Untold Voices in Pragati Bachhawat’s “मौन सीता की रामायण”

Pragati Bachhawat’s debut poetry collection, “मौन सीता की रामायण,” is a stirring and introspective reimagining of one of India’s most revered epics. Through eighteen distinct poetic voices, Bachhawat breathes new life into the timeless characters of the Ramayan, moving beyond the familiar narrative to uncover the silences, questions, and emotions that lie beneath.

A Chorus of Forgotten Voices

In this unique work, Bachhawat lends her words to both male and female figures — from Dashrath, Hanuman, and Ram to Ahilya, Kaikeyi, Shabri, and Sita herself. Each poem becomes a character sketch painted with empathy and inquiry. The poet does not merely retell their stories; she steps into their consciousness, exploring what they might have thought, felt, or left unsaid.

Beyond Retelling: Questioning the Frames

At the heart of “मौन सीता की रामायण” lies a courageous act of questioning. Bachhawat challenges age-old societal constructs, patriarchal restrictions, and the moral binaries that define much of traditional storytelling. Her verses examine the dualities of duty and desire, love and renunciation, voice and silence — inviting readers to reflect on how history and myth often mute certain perspectives.

This introspection is not confrontational; rather, it is contemplative — urging readers to look inward as much as they look back. The poetry asks: What would happen if we heard Sita’s silence, or Kaikeyi’s reasoning, or Ahilya’s lament in their own voices instead of through the lens of judgment?

The Essence of Chosen Silences

Bachhawat’s craft lies in her ability to evoke deep emotional undercurrents through restraint. Her language, though lyrical, carries a quiet strength — mirroring the theme of “chosen silences” that runs throughout the collection. The poems are not loud with rebellion but rich with reflection — an ocean of untold and unheard emotions that speak softly yet powerfully of identity, gender, and humanity.

A Journey Within

“मौन सीता की रामायण” is not merely a retelling of a myth; it is a poetic dialogue between past and present, myth and modernity. With every verse, Pragati Bachhawat bridges the gap between the divine and the human, reminding readers that even in stories thousands of years old, there remain new truths to discover — and long-lost voices still waiting to be heard.