Examine the theme of identity in Mahesh Dattani's Tara.
Ans. If we look at identity as representing a person's self conception, I think that the theme of identity in Tara relates to how the individual's notion of self collides with the external, social construction. Dattani applies this in terms of gender in India. Born as conjoined twins, Tara and Chandan, girl and boy, are to be separated. Their parents decide that the boy, Chandan, is to be shown preferential treatment. The way in which the separation happens displays more advantage to Chandan, making Tara's condition difficult and leading to her death. In examining the theme of identity, Dattani suggests that subjective constructions active choice as to how they construct their own sense of self. Identity becomes the net result of our choices. Dattan argues that in forming our identity, human beings are what they choose to tolerate. Thus, a world in which there is gender separation and prejudice are external impositions that we internalize. Chandan recognizes this as his identity is formed. While he might be "Dan" to the rest of the world, his own identity is impacted through the collision of social constructions of gender and his own internal sense of love towards his sister: "Like we've always been. Inseparable. The way we started in life. Two lives and one body in one comfortable womb.
