Exploring Tradition and Change in 'Baai Tujhyapaayi': A Marathi Series Review
A Glimpse into a Traditional Village
Set in 1992, the fictional village of Vesaicha Vadgaon in Maharashtra reflects outdated attitudes reminiscent of a century ago. The villagers, while worshipping the goddess Vesai, engage in practices that contradict their faith.
As soon as girls reach puberty, they are pulled from school and married off, often to significantly older men. Those who resist face public shaming, and their families are marginalized.
The Struggles of Ahilya
Vesai is seen as the fierce guardian of the village's wealth and honor. This raises a poignant question for Ahilya, her mother Lakshmi, and her father Aaba (Siddhesh Dhuri): why does this goddess, whose temple only allows virgin girls to pray, impose such trials on her young followers?
Ahilya (Sajiri Joshi), the top student in her school, aspires to become a doctor. However, her engagement to the ambitious but less educated politician Jaysing (Shivraj Waichal) means she must conform to traditional expectations, including announcing her first menstrual cycle.
A Battle for Education
Determined to continue her education, Ahilya cleverly deceives her mother Lakshmi (Kshitee Jog) for a time. This deception allows for a deeper exploration of their mother-daughter relationship, a highlight of the ZEE5 series Baai Tujhyapaayi.
Adapting a Powerful Narrative
The Marathi series is adapted from Muthukumar’s acclaimed Tamil show Ayali, also available on ZEE5. While Baai Tujhyapaayi follows the reformist path laid out by Ayali, director Nipun Dharmadhikari and writers Nikhil Khaire and Mukta Bam effectively localize the story.
The series features a talented cast that delivers well-crafted scenes, highlighting the contrast between blind faith and rational thinking.
Cultural Critique and Character Dynamics
The series reveals that adolescent marriage is just one extreme manifestation of broader societal restrictions on women's behavior, thoughts, and prayers. The presence of menstrual police monitoring the girls is indicative of a larger culture of discrimination.
While the goddess offers some refuge, she also binds women, with men holding the chains. In its early episodes, Baai Tujhyapaayi conveys its messages lightly, intertwining the importance of girls' education with depictions of village life.
Complex Relationships and Societal Norms
The show examines the relationships between characters, revealing how superstition perpetuates the oppression of women. One of the more despicable characters, Jaisingh's sycophant Gopal (Anil More), exhibits an inappropriate obsession with menstrual cycles, contrasting sharply with the supportive progressive teacher Mangala (Vibhawari Deshpande), who encourages Ahilya's academic ambitions.
Ahilya's true struggle lies within her home, where poignant interactions with her parents unfold. Lakshmi fears the repercussions of Ahilya's defiance, while Aaba shows deep concern for his daughter's future.
A Strong Performance
Sajiri Joshi, who previously shone in Rohan Mapuskar’s film April May 99, delivers a compelling performance as Ahilya. Despite her character often sounding overly mature for her age, Joshi infuses her role with genuine emotion.
Kshitee Jog portrays a tough yet loving matriarch, while Siddhesh Dhuri effectively embodies a 'modern farmer' grappling with change within his family.
Conclusion
Baai Tujhyapaayi features powerful scenes and a believable setting that compensate for its less satisfying conclusion. The series showcases Ahilya's bravery, Lakshmi's empathetic fears, and the struggles of Ahilya's friend Saraswati (Gautami Kachi), alongside the unsettling presence of Gopal. Rama Nadgauda plays a temple priestess who embodies the goddess Vesai, showcasing her dual nature.