Art, Society, and the Politics of Aesthetic Freedom in M. K. Binodini’s Crimson Rainclouds

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyse how, in her drama Crimson Rainclouds (Asangba Nongjabi), M. K. Binodini reinterprets the meaning of artistic freedom within the context of social, cultural, and ideological restrictions. The paper is based on various theories proposed by Theodor W. Adorno, Pierre Bourdieu, Jacques Rancière, Henri Lefebvre, and Raymond Williams to examine the interplay of aesthetic independence, social hierarchy, and culture in the play. It also argues that Gautam’s struggle against material gains and authority represents a critique of the forces influencing artistic performance, while the experiences of Indu and Keinatombi show the connection between gender and the negotiation of expectations in society. By comparing Western aesthetic and cultural theories with a significant work of modern Manipuri drama, this paper sheds light on significant aspects of Binodini’s literary vision. It contributes to Manipuri literary studies by presenting the idea of art as a form of resistance against dominant values and an exploration of the possible ways to achieve human freedom.