Dollar Bahu novel- Sudha Murty

 Dollar Bahu

Sudha Murty

Sudha Murty was born August 19th 1950 in Shiggaon, Karnataka. She is an educator, philanthropist and the chairperson of the Murty Trust.

Many of Sudha Murthy's novels have the theme of family relationships. She weaves her stories around middle-class families. Dollar Bahu is one of them. This story revolves around the relationship between Vinuta,a daughter-in-law, and Gowramma, a mother-in-law. Vinuta, a parentless girl, lives with Bheemanna, a distant uncle, in her inherited house in Dharwad, Karnataka. She works as a teacher in school and has a passion for singing; now and then her songs are aired on the radio. Girish and Chandrashekhar are the sons of Shamanna, a schoolteacher, and Gouramma. Girish works in a bank, whereas Chandru moves to the USA in search of a better life. Chandru takes a portion of the rent at Vinuta's house when he stays for a short time on office work in Dharwad. Chandru, fascinated by her beauty, household chores, and singing talent, admires her. But he soon moves to the USA on an onsite job. Girish marries Vinuta. Gouramma, Vinuta's mother-in-law, always wants to mingle with the elite circle and the women whose sons are well off abroad. She often boasts of his American-settled son in her social class. Gouramma starts comparing her two Bahu’s after Chandru's marriage to Jamuna, the daughter of a wealthy contractor. Gouramma and her daughter never acknowledge Vinuta's hard work and sincerity in doing household chores. Vinuta, bearing all the tantrums, balances her work and family life. Her family never involves her in decisions, as she comes from a poor family background. Gouramma always brags extremely about her Dollar Bahu, Jamuna's building, cars, and jewelry, and indirectly insults Vinuta. Gouramma praises Jamuna when she is leaving for America without spending time with her In-laws. "You are the Mahalakshmi of our house" (54). Girish and Shamanna are mute spectators to her rude and negligent behavior towards Vinuta. Gouramma visits Nashville, America, in a joyful mood as Jamuna is due for delivery. It is Gouramma's dream to visit America and to tell all her neighbors about her son's affluent lifestyle. Gouramma soon realizes the difference between her Dollar Bahu and the good-natured Vinuta. She is disappointed by her daughter-in-law’s lackadaisical attitude. Gouramma experiences cultural shock in the USA. She understands Indians’ bicultural issues, alienation, and inability to be absorbed into a foreign society. She is shocked to see her son sharing household work with his wife. At her home in India, Vinuta can handle all the work without any complaints. Accidentally, Gouramma finds some photographs in Jamuna’s wardrobe and realizes that the saris she gifted to her daughter Surabhi are already used. She feels that she is only a servant and babysitter, and everything will be decided by her Dollar Bahu. Gouramma is deeply hurt listening to Dollar Bahu speak ill about her greedy nature with her friends. Jamuna is a smart woman who knows very well "how to handle a mother-in-law and win her heart" (128) Gouramma regrets her bad treatment and attitude towards Vinuta. She never presented a gift to a poor girl, Vinuta, her Indian Bahu, for her pregnancy or on any other occasion. Vinuta is depressed hearing the news that Gouramma is coming back to India because she starts comparing Dollar Granddaughter and Indian granddaughter. Shamanna sends Vinuta and Girish to Dharwad on transfer, clearing the way to lead their lives on their own. The American tour is an opener for her. She realizes that the grass is always greener on the other side. (దూరపు కొండలు నునుపు). 

Money can create ripples in a healthy family environment. The writer makes an effort to demonstrate how comparison and favouring a Dollar Bahu over an Indian Bahu complicate family relationships.