Disability and Exclusion within Family in Harshikaa Udasi’s Kittu’s Very Mad Day

Abstract

Disability is considered to be a sin and a curse in Indian cultural values. People with disabilities have been stigmatized, marginalized, and excluded from society. The notions constructed by the ableist society build a barrier to having an inclusive society for people with disabilities. The society's misconceptions and inaccessible environment lead to exclusion and denial of acceptance of disabled people. These stereotypical ideas are ingrained within the children’s mindset, which prevents them from engaging with the disabled children. Children hesitate to connect with children with both physical and mental disabilities. This paper focuses on Harshikaa Udasi’s novel “Kittu’s Very Mad Day” and its protagonist, Kittu, who, because of his physical deformity, is excluded by his family members. Kittu’s inability and stereotypical notions lead his family to consider him a burden for his daily needs—his exclusion from the family results in his solitude and marginalization. Udasi picturizes the state of disabled children within the family and in society. The paper aims to investigate the challenges faced by disabled children within their families to foster inclusion.