Bharathi and Women’s Liberation
பாரதியும் பெண் விடுதலையும்
Abstract
This article discusses the history and evolution of the women's liberation movement in Tamil society, emphasizing the longstanding social inequalities faced by women. From the Sangam era through the colonial period and into modern times, it traces how reformers such as Rajaram Mohan Roy, Dayananda Saraswati, Mahadev Ranade, Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, and prominent Tamil figures like Subramania Bharati contributed to shaping ideas of women's rights and social reform. Bharati's writings are highlighted for advocating women’s education, social equality, freedom, and legal rights including property ownership, marriage consent, and remarriage for widows. The article also examines social reforms against practices like child marriage, dowry, the devadasi system, and caste-based discrimination. It notes the role of various women leaders and movements in Tamil Nadu that fought for gender equality and empowerment. Overall, it presents a comprehensive view of Tamil women’s struggles for liberation, social justice, and equal participation in society.
References
Ibid.
C.N. Kumarasamy, Bharathi from a Feminist Perspective, (Chennai: Tamil Puthakalayam, 2001). pp.59.
Seeni. Viswanathan, Chronologically Arranged Works of Bharathi, Volume – 9, (Model House Lane, Chennai, 2007), pp.419-22.
Seeni. Viswanathan, Volume – 9, previously cited. pp.230-35.
C.N. Kumarasamy. Previously cited. pp.88-90.
Seeni. Viswanathan, Chronologically Arranged Works of Bharathi, Volume – 1, (Model House Lane, Chennai, 1998). pp.212-17.
K. Kailasapathy, Bharathi Studies, (Madras: NBT. 1962.) pp.194-201.
He conducted women's advancement meetings at his home in the form of Thiruvilakku Puja (sacred lamp worship). He made women themselves the speakers, thereby raising awareness among them. Through the speech of a woman named Pakyavathi, he highlighted the necessity of making women's lives free and independent. Through the speech of Yadhugiri Ammal, he spoke about how men of the time enslaved women. Similarly, at the Manjal Kumkum gathering, he spread ideas of women's liberation through the views of a Chinese woman named Siyu-sin, stating that women's worship should be conducted in a manner that uplifts them.
C. Subramania Bharathiyar. Bharathiyar Kavithaigal, "Viduthalai! Viduthalai! Viduthalai!" (Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!), Song Nos. 1-3.
Seeni. Viswanathan, Volume – 9, previously cited. pp.553-61.
This article was published in Swadesamitran dated 3.5.1918, with a note that it was read at a women's gathering by Kumari Sridangamma, daughter of Sri C. Subramania Bharathi of Pondicherry.
Seeni. Viswanathan, Volume – 9, previously cited. pp.286-92.
Ibid. pp.277-80.
Ra. Nedunchezhiyan, "Bharathiyar — The Poet Who Showed New Paths." Mahakavi Bharathiyar Centenary Souvenir, edited by N. Venkathasamy. p.100.
Seeni. Viswanathan, Chronologically Arranged Works of Bharathi, Volume – 8, (Model House Lane, Chennai, 1999). pp.755-6.
Seeni. Viswanathan, Chronologically Arranged Works of Bharathi, Volume – 8, (Model House Lane, Chennai, 2004). pp.680-84.
Ibid. pp.540-45.
Mow. Chandraleka, "Bharathi and Women's Liberation," in Bharathi — A Multi-Perspective View, edited by K. Thanigasalam. (Jaffna, 1984), pp.60-61.
Subramania Bharathiyar. Previously cited. pp.152-60.
C.N. Kumarasamy, previously cited. pp.311-12.
Ibid. pp.319-22.
Ibid.
Seeni. Viswanathan. Volume – 9, previously cited. p.177.
He opposed the views of Vivekananda and Gandhi on widow remarriage in his article titled "The Pitiable Condition of Widows in India."
Bharathi's proposed solution: "How many days will they slander about the same news regarding the same person? They will grow weary of it and it will settle down. The world is vast. Being excluded from caste does not cause any great suffering. There is a lid to shut the mouth of the town, and its name is Time — after which they will begin to associate as before."
Seeni. Viswanathan, Volume – 1. Previously cited. pp.212-17.
Subramania Bharathiyar, Bharathiyar Kavithaigal, "Kanavu" (Dream), Song Nos. 30-38.
Seeni. Viswanathan. Chronologically Arranged Works of Bharathi, Volume – 6, (Chennai: Model House Lane, 2005). pp.522-23.
Subramania Bharathiyar. Previously cited. pp.228-34.
Seeni. Viswanathan. Volume – 9, previously cited. pp.531-33.
Arunan. Previously cited. pp.97-98.
Rajam Krishnan, Womanhood in the History of Indian Society, pp.52-63.
C.N. Kumarasamy, previously cited. p.16.
Ibid. pp.28-30.
Seeni. Viswanathan. Volume – 9, previously cited. pp.286-92.
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