Echoes of Defiance in the Poetic Expression of Meena Kandasamy
Prof. Vikas Subhash More
Smt. N. N. C. College of Kusumbatal Dist
Dhule
Abstract:
Indian
woman poets have offered new scope and magnitude to the literature of India. In
ancient times structure of society was patriarchal in nature due to patriarchal
assumption women writing undervalued. In literature of India, in course of time
feminist ideologies began to influence. In 21 century Indian woman poets
projecting new standpoint of life. Even though India is linguistically and
culturally diverse country, after independence it has continued its mission
of national integration. However, the
privileged group of society dominate while working class retain its
marginalization. Due to the dominance of upper caste marginalize communities
come to the periphery. As resultof this centre and periphery division marginalized
community has to face social exclusion.
In
realm of contemporary Indian literature Kandasamy’s voice is emerged as powerful
assertivevoice. She is poet, fiction writer translator and activist, based in
Chennai Her poems give new dimensions to Dalit feminism, social justice and
political freedom. Her poems are deeply
political and person which give voice to lived experience of marginalize
section of society who has been pushed to the margin of mainstream discourse They
are not limited to Indian literature but represent a new voice of resistance on
a global scale. The Present research
paper examines selected poems of Meena
Kandasamy, particularly from her
collections Touch (2006) and Ms. Militancy (2010)
Keywords:
Marginalization, Caste, resistance
Introduction
Meena Kandasamy is one of
theprominent and rebellious literary voices of the 21st century. Through poetry, prose, and social movements, she has
directly challenged caste discrimination, gender violence, and political
oppression. Her literary writing especially poetry represents personal and
collective pain as a form of resistance. She has made literature not just a
space for beauty but a platform for struggle and change. By analysing the
selected poems this paper shows that Kandasamy transforms
personal and collective pain into rebellion. Her poems are relevant in 21 centuries due to its ability to relate their
personal experience with collective struggle. This makes Meena Kandasamy one of
the most important voices in 21st-century Indian literature, whose poetry shows
the power of resistance. Kandasamy’s voice reaches beyond national boundaries
provide impetus to global social justice and feminist movements. Her poems
reflect a “21st-century vision of resistance which visualizes a future of
liberation.
This
article will explore the various forms of resistance that emerge from her
writing style. It will show how her voice stands within the framework of Dalit
feminism and postcolonial literature. There are echoes of rebellion in her
words, reminding us that literature in the 21st century is not just an artistic
expression but a struggle for political existence and transformation. This
article also highlights Meena Kandasamy as an Emerging Voice. Herselected poems such as ‘’Aggression’’, "Apologies
for Living on","One-Eyed" Ekalavya" reflect new forms of, resistance and
rebellion.
Analysis of Poems of
Meena Kandasamy
Kandasamy in her poetry collection Touch (2006) and Ms Militancy
(2010) expresses her outrage toward unjust treatment meted out to Dalits and
the taboos imposed by dominant carte. Beings Dalit, she thinks that protest,
radical change and uprising are inevitable for the social transformation. For
rediscovering her Dalitidentity, she attempts to create her own history. She
refutes religious history by deconstructing Hindu and Tamil Mythologies. The
present research paper aims to analyse outrage and burning indignation towards
social injustice particularly the exploitation of Dalits and Dalit woman that
revealed in Meena Kandasamy poems.
In her
poem entitled ‘’Aggression’’ she holds the belief
that should not remain silent, she tries to influence woman to voice against
dominant cast system that has weaken the identity of woman, women Should stand
up against injustice in the society. The Following lines from the poem
Aggression provides an insight into the essence of defiant nature.
Sometimes,
The outward
signals of Inward struggle take colossal forms.
And the revolution
happens became our dream explode most of the time.
Aggression
is the best kind of trouble shooting
(Agression7-10)
Here poet expresses the strength and power of aggression
It is the answer to every injustice. The poet highlights. that in society
suppressed emotion will take get explode and give birth to revolution. She
strongly reiterates that aggression is the best form of troubleshooting
Rebellion, defiance and aggression re tools of empowerment
In the poem "Apologies
for Living on" female identity is redefined by exposing patriarchal
structures. Women are vulnerable in
male dominated social set up. Here we see explicit reference of gender-based
violence and how female body has been objectified. The following lines from the
poem "Apologies for living on’’ reflects impotence of woman who desire to
be liberated themselves like birds try
to evade by patriarchal restrictions
I was helpless
girl
Against brutal
world of
bottom patting and
breast pinching
I was craving for
security
the kind had only
known a while
(Touch)
In her poem "One-Eyed" she
portray the continued existence of oppressive structure of caste class race and
gender discrimination with Indian society. In this poem little girl for
quenching her thirst touches the pot and drank a glass of water. When teacher
notice that touch, he slapped the girls for breaking the rules. drinking water
is the pot is only meant for upper caste student. She has to lose her one
eyes simply for drinking water from the pot. The following lines highlights brutal
caste oppression and her defiance
dham sees a world
torn in half
he left eyes lit open but light slpped away
the price for a
taste of that touchable water
(Ms.
Militancy 9-10)
Here loss of eyesight indicates
physical loss and social exclusion Dalit student has to suffer at the hands of
teacher.These lines exposes the approach of institution
like school, healthcare and media
In Ekalavya" Meena kandasamy reinterprets 'Guru
Dronacharya and Ekalavya famous story of Mahabharata.GuruDronacharya was
illustrious teacher. Ekalvya was his disciple. He was gifted archer from lower
caste. He acquired skill of archery from his guru.He ask Eklavya Guru Dakshina
that a teacher owes his teacher upon completion of his training in archery. Dranchaya
ask for right thumb, knowing that it will hamper Ekalavya ability to pursue
archery. Eklalyn's unwavering dedication to his guru
Silenced in the name of loyalty.
She highlights he defiance, as She says
"You don't
need your right thumb
to pull a trigger
or hurt a bomb’’
(Touch
7-8)
The above line implies the
violent defiance is tool to dismantle entrenched caste
hierarchies. she expresses her defiance through poetry to empower the
Marginalized.
Conclusion:
A close reading of Meena
Kandasamy’s poems reveal her defianceagainst
entrenched caste hierarchies. Her poems give new dimensions to Dalit feminism,
social justice and political freedom. They are not limited to Indian literature
but represent a new voice of resistance on a global scale. Her poems prove that
literature is not just a space of beauty but a political struggle for existence
and transformation. In these poems, the voice of women is given new strength.
She asserts that women are not just sufferers but, fighters.
Her poems illustrate the
power of resistance and make literature a tool for social justice and
transformation. They stand against caste, patriarchy and oppression and imagine
a future of liberation. Thedefiance seen
in her poems is not only individual but also collective. She expresses the pain
of the Dalit community, the struggles of women
through her poetry. Therefore, her poems acquire special significance in
the social and political context. Finally, Meena Kandasamy is one of the
important and globally influential voices of resistance in Indian literature of
the 21st century.
References:
1.
Kandasamy,
Meena. Touch. Mumbai: Peacock Books, 2006.
2.
Kandasamy,
Meena. Ms. Militancy. New Delhi: Navayana, 2010.
3.
Abrams,
M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. New Delhi: Laxmi Publications, 2000.
Print
4.
Beauvoir,
Simone de. The Second Sex. Translated by H. M. Parshley,
Vintage Books, 198
5.
Rajkumar.
Dalit Personal Narratives: Reading Caste, Nation and Identity. New
Delhi: Orient Black Swan, 2010.
6.
Rajkumar.
Dalit Literature and Criticism. New Delhi: Orient Black Swan, 2019.
