Belonging to a generation that grew up with increased exposure to feminism and other anti-patriarchal thought, I found it a bit difficult to appreciate Manasi’s writing when this book began. But as I read it, the intricacies that she uses and the seemingly simple ways through which she wields words are hard to not appreciate!
Weaving themes of supernaturalism, parenthood, work and labour into the day-to-day setups of an aspirational Indian woman, Manasi, and subsequently Devika’s translation, creates thought-provoking short stories. Each of these centers a woman’s perspective, usually as a point of tension between her identities as an individual and her social role – as mother, as wife, as lover, as daughter.
Written in the last few decades of the 20th century, in Kannada, Manasi is extremely adept at portraying the shifting priorities of women in a society that was starting to embrace values of liberalisation and individualism. For example, a woman’s professional goals are often a source of tension in many of her stories.
On the other hand, some of her prose that is extremely relevant even today also acts as commentary on the work done by the feminist movement of the last 20-30 years. For example, in her moving piece, Devi Mahathmyam, Manasi talks about “exchanging her proofs of humanity – her mind and wings – for turmeric and indoor”.
Emblematic of the religious weight that women have to bear, these words remind us that there is more work left to be done.
This book has been published by Penguin. Follow them on YKA here.