Pankaja by Vasanth Kannabiran in Paperback

 

As a renowned advocate for women's rights, Vasanth Kannabiran's upbringing in the 1950s was filled with captivating tales from her grandmothers and aunts, centered around the lives of "wives, widows, and whores". These seemingly unrelated stories deeply impacted Kannabiran, ultimately uncovering the harsh realities faced by women in early 20th century India and inspiring her debut novel, Pankaja. Within its pages, Pankaja masterfully depicts the struggles of upper-caste Hindu women during this time period, heavily influenced by societal expectations and the limited role of a dutiful wife. From Pankaja's mother Rajamma enduring harsh judgement after being widowed, to her sister Pattamma facing ostracization as a young widow, and even her own sister Kannamma being cast aside for leaving her unhappy marriage to be with a lower-caste man, the novel explores the individual stories of these women as they strive for autonomy. Through this lens, P Through this lens, Pankaja offers a poignant and informative look at the societal expectations and limited roles of women in early 20th century India. It confronts the struggles faced by upper-caste Hindu women, including harrowing tales of judgement, ostracization, and the fight for autonomy. Pankaja is a compelling reminder of the enduring strength and determination of women in the face of oppressive societal norms.