The Burning Bride

Every hour in India, one woman is murdered for a dowry. The Burning Bride follows the story of Uma, a newly wed woman. She starts her new life with many dreams. However, her dreams turn into nightmares when her parents are unable to fulfil the dowry demands made by Madhu, her mother-in-law. The heaven she had imagined turns into a hell, and the worst part is; there appears to be no escape. Despite the high figures of violence against women, the female form is worshipped throughout India, and the most commonly worshipped Goddess is Durga, who has nine forms. Therefore the Burning Bride is told through the eyes of 9 women. The nine perspectives highlight psychological, social and cultural factors which maintain these systems. Why does a mother force her own daughter to stay in an abusive relationship? Why does a neighbour who sees abuse happening turn a blind eye? What goes through the mind of someone doing the abuse? At least 10% of the profits made from the sales of The Burning Bride will support the Asian Circle to fund Oxfam projects to end domestic violence in India.