Mother's Day 2024: 4 Lines From Maya Sarabhai: The Unapologetic Mother Who Broke Stereotypes Before It Was Cool

Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, a sitcom that graced our television screens in the early 2000s, was a breath of fresh air. Not just for its witty dialogues and relatable characters, but also for its portrayal of a mother-in-law unlike any other seen before, Maya Sarabhai (played brilliantly by Ratna Pathak Shah).

Here's why Maya Sarabhai remains an iconic TV character and a mother who redefined the on-screen Saas (mother-in-law) trope:

Maya Sarabhai: A Human Mother-in-Law with a Side of Sass

Unlike the caricatured villains or overly-saccharine angels typically seen in Indian daily soaps, Maya Sarabhai was refreshingly human. She wasn't afraid to voice her opinions, even if they were critical of her "middle-class" daughter-in-law Monisha Sarabhai. Her honesty, delivered with a generous helping of sarcasm, was a welcome change from the usual scheming Saas.

Remember, as Maya herself once quipped, "Don't mind beta, main tumhari burai nahi kar rahi hoon, I was just joking" (It's alright dear, I wasn't criticising you, I was just joking).

The Queen of Sarcasm

Maya Sarabhai's sharp wit was legendary. Her barbs, often disguised as "jokes," could leave Monisha fuming, but also secretly amused. The way she'd punctuate her observations with a nonchalant "Joke tha, beta" (It was a joke, dear) only added to the humour.

Maya's brand of disapproval wasn't about elaborate plots to throw Monisha out of the house. Instead, she wielded a more potent weapon a never-ending list of Monisha's perceived shortcomings. It was hilarious, relatable (because let's be honest, everyone makes mistakes!), and a far cry from the dramatic Saas-Bahu showdowns that dominated television. As Maya might say, "Monisha, tumhare to chawal bhi middle-class hain" (Monisha, even your rice is middle-class).

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Mocking the Daily Soap Saas

Monisha's love for melodramatic Hindi serials provided Maya with endless entertainment. She'd mimic the over-the-top theatrics of these Saas characters, poking fun at the tropes and cliches that plagued television. It was a clever way to critique the unrealistic portrayal of mother-in-laws in fiction. Remember the time Maya mimicked a Saas saying, "Mere bete ko barbaad kar diya hai tumne!" (You've destroyed my son!) in that ridiculously dramatic tone?

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A Mother's Bond, Delivered in Her Own Unique Way

Despite her barbs and disapproval, there was a genuine underlying affection Maya felt for Monisha. This subtle warmth peeked through in various episodes, most notably when Maya tries (and fails) to mould Monisha into her perfect daughter-in-law, only to realise she misses her quirky, bargain-loving bahu.

Maya Sarabhai wasn't just a mother-in-law, she was a woman who challenged stereotypes, redefined family dynamics, and proved that love, laughter, and a little bit of well-placed sarcasm can go a long way. This Mother's Day, let's raise a toast to Maya Sarabhai, the unforgettable mother who showed us that mothers-in-law can be as complex, endearing, and downright hilarious as any other character.

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Image courtesy: IMDb