Dissecting Degradation: A Study of Domestic Violence, Greed, and Moral Rot in Vijay Tendulkar's 'The Vultures'

Abstract

In today's world, humans have succumbed to their selfish desires and unabashedly disregard moral principles and societal values. Consumed by greed, they mimic the viciousness of ravenous vultures. We can draw a parallel between these predatory birds and the members of the Pitale family, who relentlessly claw at each other for financial gain, completely neglecting familial bonds and ethical norms. Exceptional individuals like Rama and Rajaninat remain untainted by this depravity. Pappa, Ramakant, Umarkanat, and Manik embody the cruelty of vultures through their savage words and deeds. The shocking nature of domestic violence, illicit relationships, and crude language depicted in the play rattles even the most composed audiences. The brutal assault of a father by his own children and brothers forcing an abortion on their sister's unborn child reveal the sinister depths of human nature. Such intense portrayals of cruelty have rarely been depicted on the Indian stage until now. This study sheds light on our contemporary society, where domestic abuse, greed, and self-centeredness plunge familial ties and moral values into complete ruin.