The Other Half of the Coconut: Women Writing Self-Respect History

Description

The Self-Respect Movement launched by ‘Periyar’ (E V R Naicker) in 1926 questioned the ways in which the non-Brahmins were systematically excluded from the Indian Nation and constructed as the Other by the Brahminical Elites. While EVR’s role within the Movement has received critical and scholarly attention, women Self-Respecters and the issues they raised have gone largely unnoticed. This collection of essays and fiction by women Self-Respecters translated from the Tamil could serve as the material basis for writing an alternative history of the Movement. In mapping the voices of women who identified with the Movement, this anthology helps us arrive at a different and richer understanding of what the Self-Respect Movement stood for. There is an urgent need not only to improve upon existing Self-Respect histories but also to critique the ways in which they have so far been written. This anthology provides a basis for such a critique. Acknowledgements Preface SECTION I Stories, Treatises and Essays by Women Self-Respecters Introduction: Getting Past the Legacy of Periyar: Women and Agency in the Self-Respect Movement The Self-Respect Journal: A Note What is In Store For Us? — By Kamalakshi Womenfolk and Self-Respect Principles — By Trichi Neelavathi Pankajam’s Tragic Death — Anonymous Rituals — By Neelavathi Ramasubramaniam Which Grew Bigger—the Ring or the Body? — By Janaki The Women’s Movement — By Mu. Maragathavalliyar Vignettes — By Neelavathi Ramasubramaniam The Skies Won’t Bring Forth Rain — By Janaki The Sufferings of the Adi-dravidas — By Mu. Maragathavalliyar Half a Coconut — By Janaki Is Widowhood a Question of Fate? — By Trichi Neelavathi The Ritual of Garuda Sevai — By Miss and Mrs Kamalakshi The Progress of Women — By Mu. Maragathavalliyar Why Was Woman Enslaved? Muslim Women are Slaves Too! The Plight of Muslim Widows — By Alhaj Subako Is the Bliss of Freedom Not For Us? — By Neelavathi Ramasubramaniam A Bundle of Grass — By Janaki Will Educated Women Take the Initiative? — By Trichi Neelavathi Women in the Socialist World — By Jayasekari SECTION II The Self-Respect Novel The Dasis’ Wicked Snares Or The Playboy Who Came To His Senses — By Moovalur A. Ramamrithammal Lobbying For Devadasi Abolition: From Artiste to Prostitute (Excerpts from The Dasis’ Wicked Snares or the Playboy Who Came to His Senses) Conclusion APPENDICES Essays, Speeches and Letters by Periyar E.V. Ramasami Naicker An Introduction The Law Prohibiting Pottukattu — By Periyar E.V. Ramasami Naicker No More Thali-Tying — By Periyar E.V. Ramasami Naicker Self-Respect Marriages and Marriages Devoid of Self-Respect — By Periyar E.V. Ramasami Naicker Biographical Notes Bibliography