Look at Figs. 19, 20 and 21 carefully.

Fig. 19 — Ghor Kali (The End of the World), coloured woodcut, late nineteenth century.

Fig. 20 — An Indian couple, black and white woodcut.

Fig. 21 — A European couple sitting on chairs, nineteenth-century woodcut.

(a) What comment are the artists making on the social changes taking place in society?

(b) What changes in society were taking place to provoke this reaction?

(c) Do you agree with the artist’s view?

(a) In figure 19, the artist is citing a change that was then seen in the society. Earlier the mother-in-law used to dominate the daughter-in-law but now, according to the artist the daughter-in-law is dominating husband as well as mother-in-law.

In figure 20, the artist is depicting the fear of the society regarding the impact of the western culture. The rising culture of educating women in society gave rise to anxiety and insecurity in the orthodox section of the society. The artist here is presenting anxiety and fear of that section of society.

In figure 21, the artist is showing traditional family roles as expected by the orthodox section of the society showing a European couple.

(b) The empowerment of women, education of women and impact of western culture were the factors that provoked this reaction. The traditional and orthodox were worried with these developments.

(c) No, I don't agree with the artist's view. The empowerment of women is must for empowerment of any society. Education is equally important for all human beings. One particular gender must not be kept deprived of the opportunities of education, development and empowerment.