Vol. 8 No.

1 October 2023 E-ISSN: 2456-5571

The Image of Women in Tamil Literary Works

Dr. G. KRISHNAKUMARI
The Head, Department of Tamil
Dr. MGR Janaki College of Arts and Science, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Abstract
The portrayal of women in Tamil literature has evolved in accordance with the shifting societal perception of women in Tamil Nadu.
Tamil literature serves as a reflection of the inherent inconsistencies within current culture about the societal role of women,
encompassing both their exaltation and exploitation. Tamil classical literature may be characterized as an old body of literary works. The
subject matter under consideration possesses a lengthy chronology and serves as a valuable repository of knowledge pertaining to the
existence, practices, convictions, societal roles, and historical events of the ancient Tamilian civilization.
Keywords: Depiction, Tamil, Glorification, Exploitation

In the post-independence age, a significant number of ideas. The anthology 'Ettuthokai' presents many depictions
women authors have emerged within the sphere of literary of women, encompassing their roles as young girls, ladies
writing, directing their attention towards the internal in love, wives, and mothers, as well as exploring their
struggles faced by contemporary women. The list of views and experiences.
distinguished authors includes Sivasundari, C.S. Laxmi, The literary work known as 'Silappathikaram', often
Anuradha Ramanan, Indira Soundarajan, Vaasanthi, and referred to as the 'Tale of the Anklet', portrays the societal
Thilagavathy. Therefore, throughout the period after customs and practices prevalent during the time period in
independence, a distinct group of female writers has arisen which it is set. It focuses on the lives of Kannagi, a virtuous
in the realms of Indian English literature as well as Tamil young woman, and Kovalan, her partner, who resided in
literature. The aforementioned books portray the current Puhar, the capital city of the Chola dynasty. The trajectory
tensions, moral dilemmas, interpersonal dynamics, of her lifestyle deviated when Kovalan became involved
aspirations, and disillusionments experienced by women in with Madhavi, a woman of questionable moral character.
Indian society. The portrayal of women in Tamil literature The pair initiated the process of reviving their ways of life
has undergone changes in accordance with the changing in Madurai, the principal city of the Pandyas. Kovalan
societal perception of women in the state of Tamil Nadu. embarked on a venture to market the anklet of Kannagi,
Tamil fiction serves as a reflection of the prevailing however found himself implicated and subsequently
contradictions within contemporary society pertaining to executed for the alleged act of theft from the queen.
the social standing of women, encompassing both their Kannagi is reputed to have demonstrated the innocence of
elevation and exploitation. her spouse and is supposed to have caused the
Tamil classical literature is a venerable body of old conflagration of the entire city of Madurai as a result of her
literary works. The subject matter possesses a lengthy unwavering virtue. This composition is believed to have
historical background and serves as a valuable repository originated during the Sangam era, which spanned from
of knowledge pertaining to the lives, traditions, beliefs, 300 BCE to 200 CE.
roles, and historical events of the ancient Tamilian The portrayal of violence against women in Tamil
civilization. The poetry were classified into two categories: literature has been a prominent and nuanced component.
akam (internal) and puram (external). The akam poems Since the turn of the century, several patriotic publications
mostly encompass themes of love and the associated have focused on the challenges faced by women,
emotions, whereas the puram poems focus on subjects particularly in relation to issues like as child marriage and
like as warfare, everyday existence, balladry, and cultural widowhood. In reality, many male writers, such as

85 Bodhi International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Science

Ramasami, in their pre-independence literary works, have aptitude in creative writing, following in her footsteps.
demonstrated a compassionate depiction of women within Thiripurasundari authored several Tamil novels, including
society. Following the 1950s, there emerged a group of Kanchanain Kanvu, Mithila Vilas, and various other literary
writers who focused on many social concerns in their works, which were published under the pseudonym
literary works. Thunba Keni by Pudumai Pithan explored Lakshmi. Rajam Krishnan, a renowned author, made
the theme of indentured labor, Rajam Krishnan's Lamps in significant contributions to the advancement of
a Whirlpool delved into the subject of domestic abuse, contemporary Tamil literature. The books authored by her,
Jayakanthan's Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal addressed including 'Valaikkalam', 'Krinshitten', 'Amtamaki Varka',
the topic of rape, and Poomani's Piragu examined caste- 'Malarkal', 'Penkral', and others, have gained significant
based violence. popularity among Tamil readers. Krishitten, authored by
The writings of Thi. Janakiraman have been a Rajam Krishnan, is widely recognized as one of the most
significant source for examining the complex and renowned books.
contentious nature of girlhood and its association with The work draws from a range of personal life
sexuality throughout history. Women writers have also experiences. Noteworthy short tales and novels have been
made significant contributions to the literary landscape by authored by prominent writers such as Vasumati
offering their unique perspectives and insights into the Ramasamy (also known as Basmati Ramasamy) and
world. The literary components in Tamil were not given 'Kuttamani'. Cutamani elucidates the oscillations of her
due consideration by the feminist movement in the 1980s. cognitive faculties through her introspective narratives.
Rajam Krishnan's writings have emerged as a prominent Saroja Ramamurthy exhibits notable proficiency in
framework for addressing issues pertaining to women. portraying the narratives of housewives and women inside
Ambai introduced the concept of girl subjectivity within the her short stories. The portrayal of youngsters in her
realm of Tamil literature. In the realm of contemporary narratives brought much joy to the readers. The calm and
Tamil writing, female authors have produced a substantial lucid writing style is well-suited for effectively portraying the
body of work comprising concise testimonials and novels underlying cultural essence of the place. Additional women
that delve into the internal struggles experienced by writers in modern Tamil literature, such Anuttama, K.
women, particularly in relation to the cultural and traditional Savithri, and K. Saraswati, have also contributed to the
aspects of Tamilnadu. The literary works produced by genre by producing several Tamil short tales that
female authors also depict the various concerns pertaining effectively portray the fundamental aspects of family life
to family dynamics, maternal love, and other mundane within the Tamil region. In her work, K. Jeyalakshmi
aspects of existence. The focus of books authored by provides a detailed account of the transformations that
female writers in Tamil literature often revolves around have occurred in the living situations of a specific
delicate themes such as the transformation of mundane household. Mathuram authored several Tamil books that
lives, societal inequalities, and their resulting fall into a specific genre. The quality of her writing is
consequences. Their writing and works generally fail to exceptional due to its ability to articulate the intricacies of
encompass or address significant societal issues or her own cognitive processes.
contemporary concerns. These topics and concerns are The short tale titled "Wings Can Break" was published
depicted with remarkable precision and presented in a in 1972 by C.S. Laksmi, a Tamil writer who is also known
compelling manner. by the pseudonym Ambai. In the year 1984, the author
Kotainayaki Ammaiyar is well recognized as a produced a scholarly publication titled "The Face behind
prominent Tamil author, renowned for her prolific the Mask: Women in Tamil literature," which critically
contributions in the form of multiple books and her editorial examines the portrayal of Tamil women in the fictional
work for a Tamil magazine. Subsequently, a multitude of works of Tamil writers. The text demonstrates the writer's
female authors emerged who displayed comparable obsession with the portrayal of 'woman' in Tamil culture

86 Bodhi International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Science

and the influence of Tamil women authors on fiction. In “The Face behind the Mask”, Ambai urges Tamil
Ambai demonstrates the construction of these prevailing women authors to transcend their conventional societal
images during the colonial era. The author examines the positions and embrace a candid approach in their literary
historical trajectory of the reformist movement for women's endeavors. The late 19th century witnessed a resurgence
concerns in Urban Tamilnadu, commencing from the late in Tamil Literature, characterized by the creation of
19th century and extending into the 20th century. religious and philosophical works that were crafted in a
Under the influential guidance of Annie Besant and straightforward manner, intended to be accessible and
Margaret Cousins, a group of Brahmin women endeavored enjoyable for the general populace. The birth of the
to address some societal inequities, including the practice contemporary literary movement may be attributed to
of marrying girls before they reach puberty and the Subramania Bharathi, an influential Indian Nationalist poet
ritualistic shaving of Brahmin widows' heads. Additionally, and writer known for his ability to sway the public. The
they aimed to advocate for the acceptance of widow author's literary pieces are intellectually invigorating due to
remarriage within the Brahmin community. However, it their exploration of progressive concepts such as freedom
may be argued that the depictions of the ideal woman and feminism. The development of literacy facilitated the
promoted by the reformists were mostly exclusive to the flourishing and maturation of Tamil writing. The emergence
elite and upper class, accompanied by fervent calls to of short tales and novels became evident.
revive the Vedic traditions. The Vedic era has been During the 18th and 19th centuries, the region of
portrayed as an idealized period in Hinduism, often Tamilnadu experienced significant transformations in its
referred to as a golden age, during which women played a political landscape. The traditional governing clans of
significant role as spiritual exemplars within society. Ambai Tamil society underwent a transition when they were
asserts that the reformist agenda holds significance. supplanted by European conquerors and individuals who
The consciousness of the urban-based middle class aligned themselves with them. The Tamil society had a
was limited by its roots. Their objective was only focused profound cultural impact. Gopala Krishna Bharati is a
on obtaining concessions within a certain framework that notable individual in the field of Indian classical music. The
they fully endorsed. There was a prevailing belief that the individual resided throughout the 19th century. The author
primary function of women was to fulfill domestic produced a substantial body of literary works,
responsibilities, namely those of a homemaker, or encompassing a variety of narratives and poetic
alternatively, to provide assistance and support to others. compositions. The renowned literary piece attributed to
According to the author, it is important to prioritize him is Nandan Charitham, a narrative that portrays the life
education and the elimination of specific societal problems of Nandanan, an individual belonging to a
in order to enhance overall performance. socioeconomically disadvantaged caste. Throughout the
According to Ambai, it can be observed that the story, Nandanan encounters several societal challenges
women's movement in Tamilnadu had a progressive loss but ultimately triumphs over them in order to fulfill his
of direction by the conclusion of the 1940s. Furthermore, aspiration of visiting the revered Chidambaram temple.
Ambai asserts that the movement has virtually been The introduction of the novel as a literary form in the Tamil
stagnant ever since. In conclusion, the author arrives at language occurred around the third quarter of the 19th
the following findings: century, which was notably more than a century after its
“….. by the end of the forties, the notion of helping rise in popularity among British writers. The growth of this
women through clarity – through Homes, phenomenon was assisted by the increasing number of
Orphanagesand destitute homes – seemed to be the Tamils who had received a Western education and were
only alternative to even partially examining the social thus exposed to popular British literature. The inaugural
status ofwomen”(p.25). literary work, titled "Prathapa Mudaliyar Charithram"
(1879), was authored by Mayuram Vedanayagam Pillai.

87 Bodhi International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Science

The literary works titled 'Kamalambal Charitram' (1893) means for women to manipulate and entice men. This
and 'Padmavathi Charitram' (1898) provide a portrayal of cultural practice only restricts women, compelling them to
the lives of Brahmins residing in rural Tamilnadu adhere to specific societal expectations. The quality of
throughout the 19th century. their written fiction diminishes due to its tendency to mirror
These works effectively encapsulate the many societal uniformity. The advent of contemporary fiction
customs, beliefs, and rituals practiced by this particular necessitates a departure from conventional literary
social group. Madhavya presents the narrative in a manner practices. The field of contemporary Tamil women's
that reflects a heightened sense of realism, offering literature is characterized by a multitude of distinctive
pointed critique towards the sexual exploitation of young advantages that have been cultivated over a span of over
girls within the upper caste community, particularly at the two millennia. The beginnings of this may be traced back
hands of older males. The journal 'Swadesamitran' was to Sangam poets like Avvaiyar, Nachinarkiniyar, and other
established by G. Subramaniya Iyer in the year 1882. In notable figures. Subsequent to that period, women's
1889, it achieved the distinction of being the inaugural literary output has emerged as a distinct entity in
Tamil daily newspaper. This marked the inception of comparison to that of males, with the exception of the
several subsequent periodicals, prompting numerous Middle Ages as women were deprived of educational
authors to commence disseminating their narratives within opportunities, thereby limiting their contributions. During
these publications. Ananda Vikatan, a satirical publication the 20th century, women achieved parity with males in
established by S.S. Vasan in the year 1929, would terms of creative output. However, as the century draws to
afterwards foster the emergence of a highly esteemed a close, female authors have achieved comparable
Tamil author. Kalki Krishnamoorthy (1899-1954) was a advantages to their male counterparts in terms of
renowned author who contributed short tales and novels to productivity and profound originality.
the publication Ananda Vikatan. Later, he established his
own weekly newspaper named Kalki, through which he References
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The literary works examined in this analysis Tamil literature, Stosius Inc/Advent Books
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notable emphasis on authors belonging to the Brahmin 3. Ramalingam, M., Novel Illakiyam, Tamil
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