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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
5 feminist reads that put women's voices front and center
(Written By Prachi Mishra) In the world of storytelling, women have long been relegated to the margins, either to the status of goddesses or ghosts, muses or martyrs. Yet, there are stories where women do not merely step into the tale, they are the tale. These are books that do not just have women in them, rather they unravel their worlds, their wounds, and their wonders. These books do more than just present women as characters; they breathe life into their struggles, dreams, tragedies, and triumphs. They work from myth, history, or the present day to weave a rich tapestry of feminine experience and offer the reader subtle representations of womanhood. Let us step into these pages where the woman refuses to wait in the wings and stands at centre stage as the ink-stained heroine of her tale. R. Parthasarthy, renowned scholar, who translated the text from Tamil to English language notes that 'Silappadikaram is to Tamil what Iliad and Odyssey are to the Greek.' Silappadikaram (translated as 'The Tale of an Anklet'), is one of the earliest Tamil epics. Part of Sangam literature, the epic covers the story of Kannagi, who is a testament of love, sacrifice and resilience. She is presented as a gentle wife for the most part of the epic highlighting the patriarchal set-up as she longs for her husband, Kovalan, even after he cheats on her with a courtesan Madhavi. But her character arc changes drastically when she transforms herself into a fierce embodiment of righteousness. Her fury knows no bounds when Kovalan is accused of theft even though he is innocent, and this brings us to the epic scene where she cuts off her breast and curses the entire city. There have been multiple movies based on the epic Silappadikaram including the 1942 movie titled Kannagi and the 1964 Poompuhar. The story also features in the popular television series Bharat Ek Khoj. Also Read | 'They shoot the White girl first': Toni Morrison's opening line from 'Paradise' first hooks, then haunts 'The pages of a book have to be turned, but the leaves of fate turn by themselves.' Women and suffering goes hand in hand, and no other woman character falls near to Draupadi in this matter. Pratibha Ray's rendition 'Yajnaseni: The story of Draupadi' was written originally in Odia and then later translated by Pradip Bhattacharya into English. Ray beautifully portrays this widely known tale of Mahabharata through the lens of the female protagonist Draupadi giving it a female perspective. Through a long, intimate letter to Krishna, she pours out the anguish of being born of fire (hence the name Yajnaseni), shared by five husbands and then gambled away like property by her own husband Yudhisthir. But her plight doesn't end here. It is her who is blamed for the danse macabre, the epic battle of Kurukshetra to which she lost all her sons. 'What is love if not a hunger?' Rao's novel is a tour de force, exploring the lives of Poornima and Savitha, two young girls from a village in Andhra Pradesh. Their bond of friendship becomes the lifeline that drives them through a series of harrowing events of poverty, abuse, trafficking, and separation. But, what's interesting to note is the fact that despite their suffering, both women never stopped searching for one another. The beauty of this novel lies in that the two female characters nurture their happiness from rather simple, dreary things like indigo clothes or yogurt rice. Each had brought on thousands of memories. The telling being from two perspectives, it is a story that is grave yet hopeful, a small lamp glimmering at the tunnel's end, showing the female spirit against unimaginable odds. Very raw and wild in its approach, the novel touched subjects that at times can be very discomfiting, leaving the reader uncertain whether to continue reading or put it down. However, curiosity usually gets the better of the reader, and one just has to know the story. 'I am not the representative of any one caste, one religion, or one society. I am the representative of the entire clan of women who have, for centuries, endured ill-treatment.' Originally written in Malayalam language, about a place in Kerala that basks under the suffocating gaze of tradition, the novel Agnisakshi (translated as Fire, My Witness by Vasanthi Sankaranarayanan) tries to light the flame. Unlike other women, Lalthambika's protagonist Thankam, a namboodiri woman, longs for liberation of her soul and self and never desires a blossoming love or earthly riches. Amidst the confines of orthodoxy and rigid social structures, Thankam's voice challenges the tradition of her time. And an important thing to note is the fact that it is not a sword-to-sway kind of rebellion, rather it is a revolution of whispers. Thankam does not burn with anger but with quiet conviction, and her fire is witnessed in rather private acts of escape than in public uprisings. A film adaptation of the novel was released in the year 1999, titled the same as that of the novel, Agnisakshi. 'Fame: it's a drug more potent than opium' In her beautifully rendered historical novel, Divakaruni shares with the world the forgotten story of Maharani Jindan Kaur, the last queen of Punjab and the wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The novel tells of her rise to power, beginning from humbler origins, her strong resistance against the British Empire after her husband's death, and her sorrowful separation from her son. Under Jindan light has dawned as a symbol of defiance and motherly courage in colonial India. What is important to note is that instead of idolizing Jindan, Chitra focuses on humanizing her character. Moreover, the beauty of the novel is exhibited with the use of proper Punjabi terms and Divakaruni makes it a point to not indianize this story. 'I may be injured; I may even be wounded to the heart; but I'm not defeated yet' and 'If Jindan wants something badly enough, she can make it happen. She believes this completely', through these lines the reader is very well made aware of the kind of character Jindal has, a woman who simply refuses to be silenced by the events of history, and as a woman who is too bold to be forgotten.
India.com
5 days ago
- India.com
Journey Through Time With Thekkady's Top 5 Historical Destinations
Thekkady, situated in the Idukki district of Kerala, is known for its natural beauty and the world-famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Besides being home to beautiful landscapes and vibrant fauna, it has various historical sites that still tell us about the rich cultural past of this place. This article explores some of the most interesting historical places worth a visit while in Thekkady. 1. Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple is a noteworthy historical site located deep within the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at an altitude of about 1337 meters above sea level. The temple dates back over 2000 years and is dedicated to Kannagi, a respected personality from Tamil literature. Architecturally speaking, the temple resembles traditional South Indian construction and is an embodiment of ancient Dravidian culture of the region. It is dear not only to pilgrims but also tourists who want to enjoy panoramic views across its surroundings. 2. Mullaperiyar Dam Mullaperiyar Dam was constructed in 1895 as one of those impressive feats of engineering during colonial period which are still functional today as sources for water supply purposes till date. John Pennycuick from Britain designed this dam on Periyar River which has since stood out as a symbol of pre-colonial infrastructural development in India colony townscape. Visitors can also explore information regarding its history and associated challenges during establishment alongside effects upon agricultural and water management activities around it apart from enjoying picturesque environments such as serene reservoirs encompassed by dense green vegetation. 3. Chellarkovil Viewpoint Chellarkovil Viewpoint is known mostly for its stunning views; however it carries some historical significance too besides incredible scenery, there were inhabitants at these particular locations from ancient times onwards hence making up a backdrop with native people that live hereabouts even now. For those interested in history, the vista offers a breathtaking view of falling water and the plains of Tamil Nadu. There are ancient ruins and relics scattered throughout the area which provide an insight into the lives of earlier dwellers. 4. Kumily Kumily is a small town located near Thekkady that serves as a historical and cultural center for the region. It used to be an important trading center historically, with spices such as cardamom and black pepper taking prominence here among others. This town's spice plantations and old markets give evidence to its long trade history. Visitors walking through Kumily's streets filled with the aroma of various spices can explore ancient commercial routes as well as colonial architecture still standing nearby. Besides, tourists may also discover traditional means of growing and preparing spices here. 5. Murikkady Murikkady is a small village near Thekkady that is well known for its spice gardens and picturesque landscapes. Murikkady had been a major spice trading center since ages where they have grown for hundreds of years until now today these are even being cultivated on gigantic commercial farms within surrounding areas even though most people stay away from them due to their pungent fragrances while others might get closer only if guided by experienced cultivators who know what each species needs to grow properly before harvesting like pepper or cloves which are among many other examples given during such guided tours around these spice gardens at murikaddy village if someone ever visits this place, he will find out just how peaceful it remains despite modern industrialization that has not spared anything including these pristine hinterlands reminding us about our agrarian past till present day when everything had already changed so dramatically there was no longer any room left anywhere else save beneath an existing tree shade providing some respite while waiting till next harvest season arrives yet again without mercy upon those living there then too. Conclusion Thekkady offers much more than just a beautiful tourist destination for naturalists. In this perspective, Thekkady is adorned with a variety of historical sites that reflect the rich cultural and historical heritage of the place. Such sites include ancient temples, colonial dams, spice plantations and market towns among others that will help you draw a clear picture of what was there. In addition to putting visitors in touch with the region's past, touring these places provides tourists with an opportunity to appreciate some cultural legacy that has shaped Thekkady to its present form.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- The Hindu
Kannagi - Murugesan ‘honour' killing in TN: a crime that revealed the ugly reality of caste
Nearly 22 years ago, S. Murugesan, 25, a Dalit youth, and Kannagi, 24, a Vanniyar girl, fell in love with each other. Murugesan was an engineering graduate from Annamalai University, Chidambaram, and Kannagi studied B. Com at the university. They got acquainted during their college days. Both hailed from Pudukkoorapettai, near Virudhachalam, in Cuddalore district. He was working in Bengaluru. Kannagi's father Duraisamy was the president of the village panchayat and Murugesan's father Samikannu was a farm worker, who lived on the outskirts of the village, far removed from where the Vanniyars and other caste Hindus lived. Apprehending stiff opposition to their marriage, Murugesan and Kannagi had their marriage solemnised at a temple at Manjakuppam in Cuddalore, on May 5, 2003. They also registered it. After marriage, they went home. On July 3, 2003, Duraiswamy learnt that his daughter was taken away by Murugesan while going to Chidambaram to attend the monthly seminars at the university. 'Disrepute to family' Duraisamy sent his son Marudhupandiyan to find out the whereabouts of his daughter. It was their idea to eliminate the couple for causing disrepute to their family and caste. Marudhupandiyan visited the house of Samikannu and asked Samikannu and his brother Ayyasamy to bring Murugesan to the village. Ayyasamy innocuously brought Murugesan from a neighbouring village. He was dragged to the village and beaten up by Duraisamy and his men in front of a temple, where about 100 people had gathered. Velmurugan, younger brother of Murugesan, recalled, 'My brother was beaten up severely. They tortured him: tying up his legs with a rope, they lowered him, upside down, into a deep bore-well near the temple, asking him to disclose the whereabouts of Kannagi.' Murugesan begged for his life and said Kannagi was in the custody of his relative Saroja at Moongilthuraipattu. Then, Duraisamy's men brought Kannagi to the village in the early hours of July 8 from Saroja's house. She was taken to a burial ground. Murugesan was also taken there by Duraisamy and his relatives. Duraisamy went over to Kannagi and spat on her face. Then, he handed pesticide in a tumbler to his son Maruthupandian, and they made Kannagi consume it. Thereafter, Maruthupandian handed over poison to a relative of Murugesan and asked him to pour it into the mouth of Murugesan. As Murugesan resisted, they opened his mouth with a knife and poured the poison in. While Murugesan's body was burnt near a stream, Kannagi's body was taken to a crematorium meant for the caste Hindus. Sent away by the police On the day of occurrence, Chinnapillai, stepmother of Murugesan, went to the Virudhachalam police station, along with a few relatives. They were sent away by the police. The death of the couple was hushed up by the influential persons, but it spread by word of mouth. A Tamil weekly carried a report and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan raised the issue at a press conference. Initially, Duraisamy and his group claimed that the couple committed suicide because of irreconcilable differences. However, Samikannu and other Dalits alleged that the Vanniyars had brought Murugesan and Kannagi, by deceit and force, to Pudukkooraipettai and murdered them. It took nine days for the Virudhachalam police to register a case, on the basis of voluntary confession by Duraisamy. Inspector Sellamuthu implicated three Dalits, including Samikannu, and arrested eight men: four Vanniyars and four Dalits, including Duraisamy, Maruthupandiyan, Samikannu, and Ayyasamy. The police claimed that Duraisamy admitted that he felt ashamed of the love affair and asked Samikannu and Ayyasamy to bring the couple to the village. He gave poison to his daughter and Samikannu gave the left-over to his son. Both of them cremated the bodies. The arrest of Samikannu and the three other Dalits caused a controversy since the Dalits believed that they were, in no way, involved in the murder. Thereafter, the Dalits approached advocate P. Rathnam who, though not a Dalit by birth, championed their causes. Mr. Rathnam and a team of lawyers visited the village and prepared a report. They fought for justice until the Supreme Court delivered its verdict last month. Within 23 days of the occurrence, the Principal Sessions Judge, Cuddalore, granted bail to the arrested persons, reasoning that Duraisamy would be disqualified from the post of panchayat president if he was to be in judicial custody for more than 30 days. After being released on bail, Samikannu and the other Dalits approached the Madras High Court for a CBI investigation. Meanwhile, inspector Sellamuthu completed his probe and filed a charge sheet before the Judicial Magistrate, arraigning the four Vanniyars and four Dalits, who were arrested earlier, as the accused. Subsequently, the High Court ordered the CBI to conduct a fresh investigation. The CBI filed a charge sheet on October 14, 2005, before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Chengalpattu, against 15 accused, including Tamilmaran, sub-inspector, and Sellamuthu, inspector, of the Vriddhachalam police station. Though the final report was filed by the CBI in 2005, the case was committed to the Court of Session only after more than four years. The trial court framed the charges and questioned the accused persons more than seven years after the crime. The reason for this inordinate delay was the filing of petitions for discharge of the accused persons, and for cancellation of the bail of some of the accused persons for intimidating the witnesses. Death sentence awarded On September 24, 2021, the Special Court for Exclusive Trial of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act Cases, Cuddalore, acquitted Ayyasamy and Gunasekaran of all the charges. It awarded the death sentence to Marudhupandian and life imprisonment to Duraiswami and 11 others. Following appeals, a Division Bench of the High Court delivered a common judgment on April 13, 2022, and commuted the death sentence imposed on Marudhipandian. However, it confirmed the life sentence imposed on nine of the convicts, including Duraisami, while acquitting Rangasamy and Chinnadurai. The court also set aside the life sentence imposed on Tamilmaran, a former sub-inspector, and sentenced him to two years in prison. On April 28 this year, the Supreme Court Bench, comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Prashant Kumar Mishra, dismissed the appeals from the convicts. All the appellants, who were on bail, were asked to surrender within two weeks to serve out their sentences. Writing the judgment, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia said, 'This is a case of a dastardly murder of a young couple who were only in their early twenties... Both of them were administered poison in full view of a large number of villagers. The masterminds and the main perpetrators of this macabre act were none other than the father and the brother of the girl Kannagi. The reason behind the murder of this young couple was that Kannagi, belonging to the Vanniyar community, had dared to marry Murugesan, who was a Dalit from the same village. So, at the root of this crime is the deeply entrenched hierarchical caste system in India, and ironically, this most dishonourable act goes by the name of honour-killing!' 'A crime is an act against the state. But a wicked and odious crime, as the one we have just dealt with, is the ugly reality of our deeply entrenched caste structure. Honour-killing, as these are called, must get a strong measure of punishment,' the judges said. ₹5 lakh in compensation The court also ordered the Tamil Nadu government to award ₹5 lakh in compensation to the parents of Murugesan, besides the amount awarded or ordered by the Court of Session and the High Court.
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- The Hindu
A crime that revealed the ugly reality of caste
Nearly 22 years ago, S. Murugesan, 25, a Dalit youth, and Kannagi, 24, a Vanniyar girl, fell in love with each other. Murugesan was an engineering graduate from Annamalai University, Chidambaram, and Kannagi studied B. Com at the university. They got acquainted during their college days. Both hailed from Pudukkoorapettai, near Virudhachalam, in Cuddalore district. He was working in Bengaluru. Kannagi's father Duraisamy was the president of the village panchayat and Murugesan's father Samikannu was a farm worker, who lived on the outskirts of the village, far removed from where the Vanniyars and other caste Hindus lived. Apprehending stiff opposition to their marriage, Murugesan and Kannagi had their marriage solemnised at a temple at Manjakuppam in Cuddalore, on May 5, 2003. They also registered it. After marriage, they went home. On July 3, 2003, Duraiswamy learnt that his daughter was taken away by Murugesan while going to Chidambaram to attend the monthly seminars at the university. 'Disrepute to family' Duraisamy sent his son Marudhupandiyan to find out the whereabouts of his daughter. It was their idea to eliminate the couple for causing disrepute to their family and caste. Marudhupandiyan visited the house of Samikannu and asked Samikannu and his brother Ayyasamy to bring Murugesan to the village. Ayyasamy innocuously brought Murugesan from a neighbouring village. He was dragged to the village and beaten up by Duraisamy and his men in front of a temple, where about 100 people had gathered. Velmurugan, younger brother of Murugesan, recalled, 'My brother was beaten up severely. They tortured him: tying up his legs with a rope, they lowered him, upside down, into a deep bore-well near the temple, asking him to disclose the whereabouts of Kannagi.' Murugesan begged for his life and said Kannagi was in the custody of his relative Saroja at Moongilthuraipattu. Then, Duraisamy's men brought Kannagi to the village in the early hours of July 8 from Saroja's house. She was taken to a burial ground. Murugesan was also taken there by Duraisamy and his relatives. Duraisamy went over to Kannagi and spat on her face. Then, he handed pesticide in a tumbler to his son Maruthupandian, and they made Kannagi consume it. Thereafter, Maruthupandian handed over poison to a relative of Murugesan and asked him to pour it into the mouth of Murugesan. As Murugesan resisted, they opened his mouth with a knife and poured the poison in. While Murugesan's body was burnt near a stream, Kannagi's body was taken to a crematorium meant for the caste Hindus. Sent away by the police On the day of occurrence, Chinnapillai, stepmother of Murugesan, went to the Virudhachalam police station, along with a few relatives. They were sent away by the police. The death of the couple was hushed up by the influential persons, but it spread by word of mouth. A Tamil weekly carried a report and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan raised the issue at a press conference. Initially, Duraisamy and his group claimed that the couple committed suicide because of irreconcilable differences. However, Samikannu and other Dalits alleged that the Vanniyars had brought Murugesan and Kannagi, by deceit and force, to Pudukkooraipettai and murdered them. It took nine days for the Virudhachalam police to register a case, on the basis of voluntary confession by Duraisamy. Inspector Sellamuthu implicated three Dalits, including Samikannu, and arrested eight men: four Vanniyars and four Dalits, including Duraisamy, Maruthupandiyan, Samikannu, and Ayyasamy. The police claimed that Duraisamy admitted that he felt ashamed of the love affair and asked Samikannu and Ayyasamy to bring the couple to the village. He gave poison to his daughter and Samikannu gave the left-over to his son. Both of them cremated the bodies. The arrest of Samikannu and the three other Dalits caused a controversy since the Dalits believed that they were, in no way, involved in the murder. Thereafter, the Dalits approached advocate P. Rathnam who, though not a Dalit by birth, championed their causes. Mr. Rathnam and a team of lawyers visited the village and prepared a report. They fought for justice until the Supreme Court delivered its verdict last month. Within 23 days of the occurrence, the Principal Sessions Judge, Cuddalore, granted bail to the arrested persons, reasoning that Duraisamy would be disqualified from the post of panchayat president if he was to be in judicial custody for more than 30 days. After being released on bail, Samikannu and the other Dalits approached the Madras High Court for a CBI investigation. Meanwhile, inspector Sellamuthu completed his probe and filed a charge sheet before the Judicial Magistrate, arraigning the four Vanniyars and four Dalits, who were arrested earlier, as the accused. Subsequently, the High Court ordered the CBI to conduct a fresh investigation. The CBI filed a charge sheet on October 14, 2005, before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Chengalpattu, against 15 accused, including Tamilmaran, sub-inspector, and Sellamuthu, inspector, of the Vriddhachalam police station. Though the final report was filed by the CBI in 2005, the case was committed to the Court of Session only after more than four years. The trial court framed the charges and questioned the accused persons more than seven years after the crime. The reason for this inordinate delay was the filing of petitions for discharge of the accused persons, and for cancellation of the bail of some of the accused persons for intimidating the witnesses. Death sentence awarded On September 24, 2021, the Special Court for Exclusive Trial of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act Cases, Cuddalore, acquitted Ayyasamy and Gunasekaran of all the charges. It awarded the death sentence to Marudhupandian and life imprisonment to Duraiswami and 11 others. Following appeals, a Division Bench of the High Court delivered a common judgment on April 13, 2022, and commuted the death sentence imposed on Marudhipandian. However, it confirmed the life sentence imposed on nine of the convicts, including Duraisami, while acquitting Rangasamy and Chinnadurai. The court also set aside the life sentence imposed on Tamilmaran, a former sub-inspector, and sentenced him to two years in prison. On April 28 this year, the Supreme Court Bench, comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Prashant Kumar Mishra, dismissed the appeals from the convicts. All the appellants, who were on bail, were asked to surrender within two weeks to serve out their sentences. Writing the judgment, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia said, 'This is a case of a dastardly murder of a young couple who were only in their early twenties... Both of them were administered poison in full view of a large number of villagers. The masterminds and the main perpetrators of this macabre act were none other than the father and the brother of the girl Kannagi. The reason behind the murder of this young couple was that Kannagi, belonging to the Vanniyar community, had dared to marry Murugesan, who was a Dalit from the same village. So, at the root of this crime is the deeply entrenched hierarchical caste system in India, and ironically, this most dishonourable act goes by the name of honour-killing!' 'A crime is an act against the state. But a wicked and odious crime, as the one we have just dealt with, is the ugly reality of our deeply entrenched caste structure. Honour-killing, as these are called, must get a strong measure of punishment,' the judges said. ₹5 lakh in compensation The court also ordered the Tamil Nadu government to award ₹5 lakh in compensation to the parents of Murugesan, besides the amount awarded or ordered by the Court of Session and the High Court.
United News of India
28-04-2025
- United News of India
SC upholds convictions in Tamil Nadu honour killing case
New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the convictions in the infamous 'Kannagi-Murugesan' honour killing case from Tamil Nadu, dismissing appeals filed by nine convicts and two policemen challenging the Madras High Court's 2022 judgment. A bench, comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and P K Mishra, confirmed the life sentences awarded to the convicts, including Kannagi's father and brother, and dismissed the appeals of two police officers convicted for fabricating evidence during the investigation. The case involved the brutal murder of an inter-caste couple, S Murugesan and D Kannagi. Murugesan, a Dalit and chemical engineering graduate, and Kannagi, a Commerce graduate from the Vanniyar community, had secretly married on May five, 2003. Upon discovering the marriage, Kannagi's family apprehended the couple on July seven, 2003, forced them to drink poison, and subsequently burned their bodies. Recognized as one of the first honour killing cases in Tamil Nadu, the matter was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after the local police conducted a flawed probe. In 2021, the trial court sentenced Marudupandian, Kannagi's brother, to death and awarded life imprisonment to 12 others, including her father. In 2022, the Madras High Court commuted Marudupandian's death penalty to life imprisonment and confirmed the life sentences of nine others, while acquitting two individuals. The Supreme Court today not only upheld the High Court's findings but also directed the State to pay Rs five lakh compensation jointly to the father and stepmother of Murugesan. Delivering a strong message against caste-based violence, the Court observed, "At the root of this crime is the deeply entrenched hierarchical caste system in India, and ironically, this most dishonorable act goes by the name of honour-killing." It further added, "A crime is an act against the State. But a wicked and odious crime, as the one we have just dealt with, is the ugly reality of our deeply entrenched caste structure. Honour-killing, as these are called, must get a strong measure of punishment." Senior Advocates Siddharth Agarwal and Gopal Sankaranarayanan appeared for the appellants, while Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee represented the CBI. Advocate Rahul Shyam Bhandari appeared for the parents of Murugesan. UNI SNG SS
