Contemporary Heroines

Sangam period is the period in the
history of ancient Southern India (known
as Tamilakam) spanning from c. 3rd century BCE to c. 4th century CE.
It is named after the famous Sangam
academies of poets and scholars centered in the city of Madurai (situated in present Tamil Nadu).
The Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas were the three dynasties of the Sangam period
Tamilakam. Ilango Adigal, the author of the epic Silappathikaram took up two moral principles,
chastity and virtue, and incorporated them into a theatrical style episode. At a time when it was customary to make the King or
some other patron as the hero, poet Ilango had the courage to make ordinary
folks the key figures in his drama.

The Sangam monarch was an autocrat whose powers could not
be checked or curtailed by institutional devises. The King was an absolute
sovereign. It was in this context that Ilango’s heroine, a merchant’s daughter (Kannagi)
questions the Pandya King Nedunchelian and burns down the Madurai city for the
unfair killing of her husband Kovalan. Though Kovalan is supposed to be the
hero, the author in his unique style has elevated the two women characters,
Kannaki and Madhavi to the highest status in the eyes of the society for ever. The prominence of
female characters was unknown in epic cycles of Greek and other European
sources of that time.

Kathija (aged 70) is a
housewife married to Kunji Seyyadu. The couple has five children. Born and
brought up in Mathilakam, Kathija has studied until 3rd standard. She has never
left Mathilakam and has no knowledge of Kannagi.

Usha (49) is a daily wage
laborer married to Rajan and lives in Koolimuttam, Mathilakam. She belongs to
the Vettuva community. The couple has a son and a daughter, aged 26 and 27
respectively. Usha is an active communist party member. She is of the opinion
that the present education system is difficult for the children and that they
have to carry too many books.

Rajini (37) is a housewife.
She remembers hearing about Kannagi at the Kodungallur Bharani festival. The
practice of 'theri pattu' (songs composed of expletives) addressing Kannagi
raised questions in her. Later, she came to know more from her husband who is a
Theyyam (folklore theatre) practitioner.

Mini (51) is a housewife
married to Radhakrishnan who has worked as an engineer in Gulf and is now
retired. She mentions that during her childhood different people made and ate
different types of food prepared in unique ways. Mini regularly gives her granddaughter
Sera (8 months) the traditional Sidha herbal combination of vayambu (medicinal
root), honey and gold ground together for longevity and vigor.

Geetha Bhatt (56), a housewife,
shifted to Mathilakam from Karnataka. She belongs to the Kannadiga Brahmin
caste and her husband Bhatt is a respected local scholar who also serves as a
priest in a local temple. She remembers the story of Kannagi as having
been taught to her in school, but does not remember the full version.

Fathima belongs to the
Muslim community and lives in Mathilakam. Her husband died recently and she
presently lives alone. She has a small piece of land and a few cows.

Kunjipennu (70) is single
and lives alone in a small hut in Punnakka Bazaar, Mathilakam. A quiet lady,
she is known for bringing together good alliances for marriage. Her
favorite food is rice and fish curry. Her mother died five years back, and her
sister, who lives nearby, visits her often.

Vijayalakshmi Balakrishnan
(61) has two sons. She is an active communist party member and was serving as
the panchayath president of Mathilakam at the time the photograph was taken.
Her father was a traditional Ayurveda practitioner who specialized in
toxicology. Her late husband inspired her to join politics which keeps her
content and engaged.

Elizebeth (88) is a retired
teacher. She belongs to the oldest Syrian Christian family in Mathilakam. Her
husband Thoundaserry Kunjamvaroo was with the British Army, and later was involved
in gold business. She was born in Chalakudi village, Kerala. She remembers her
voyage to Mathilakam via the Canoli Canal after marriage.

Ramla Latheef (45), housewife,
with her elder daughter Tamana Latheef (19), a journalist. Ramla is married to
activist and businessman Abdul Latheef. They have three children. They became a
nuclear family recently, and she misses the fun and challenges of the compound
family atmosphere.

Bindu Rajiv (39), house
wife, is married to a photographer who works in Dubai. She moved back to
Mathilakam from Dubai, where she lived for a few years, to take care of their
house. Their house was renovated, and presently, she lives here with her two
children. Her husband comes to India once in two years.

Jameela (65) is a house wife.
Her mother is from Palakkad and father from Mathilakam. She was married to Lt.
Mohammed Kunji, who hails from Pulimootam, Mathilakam. The couple has five
children, one of whom died at the tender age of 3. She remembers her childhood
friends from Palakkad, however, doesn’t even know whether they are alive. She
also doesn’t know how to re-connect with them.

Vishalakshi Amma, house
wife, is a Kannadiga Brahmin living with her husband in Mathilakam. Their
family migrated here a few generations ago and her brother also lives nearby.
Mathilakam, being the capital of Chera dynasty, has attracted many migrants.

Geetha (40) is married to activist Prasad. Already relatives before marriage, the couple knew each other from childhood. She works in a local printing press as a type setter and design assistant.

Madhavi (70), house wife. She was born in Eriyadu beach, Kodungallur. She belongs to a local fishermen community. Her husband Balan died 20 years ago. She gave birth to six children and has 8 grand children. She lives in Pulimootam beach, Mathilakam.

Her family deities are Chathan and Murugan. Ritualistic folklore performances are offered during auspicious days.

Bindhu Joseph (43) is a
communist party member who served as Panchayath Block President. She was born
in a conservative family whose main occupation was agriculture. Her father
became a school teacher. She has completed her graduation degree and started
social work after marriage inspired by her husband, Joseph. The couple has two
children.

Subhadra (80), housewife,
with her granddaughter Anupriya. Her father Kalikutti Kochikrishnan was a folk
medicine practitioner. Her husband’s name is Kunnikuttan who passed away at a
very young age. The couple has five children. She fondly recollects her
childhood that was filled with country games and lots of activities. These
days, children are pre-occupied with their gadgets.

Mumtaz, housewife, was born in a Muslim family. Her husband is a psychiatrist and counselor practicing in Mathilakam.

Yasodha (76), housewife, is married to Appukuttan and has four children. She had worked in Karnataka and knows Kannada and Tamil, besides her mother tongue Malayalam.

Her father was working in Sri Lanka. Her family members are followers of Sri Narayana Guru.

Laina (39), housewife, is
married to local poet and cultural activist Anil Cherukkupalli. His full time
occupation is that of an automobile painter. Her ancestral house is over a
hundred years old, with three ponds that were used for bathing, washing and
drinking respectively. Those days children from neighbouring houses used
to come and swim here for two to three hours. She mentioned that her children
are not at all interested in interacting with the neighbours and playing with
them, as they have their own preferences now.

Sulochana (70), housewife,
married to Velayudan, a fisherman living in Koolimuttam Beach, Mathilakam. Her
ancestral home had a Sarpa Kavu (meaning Abode of Snakes), a traditional
natural sacred space believed to be inhabited by snakes. The Kavu has idols of
Naga Raja, Mani Nagam and Guru Nagam. During festivals, folk singers gather,
sing songs and conduct special poojas.

Asma (32), housewife, is married to Nisar, who works as a construction worker in Saudi Arabia. They have a son and a daughter. She is the ninth child of ten siblings.

She has completed her matriculation and got married when she was 21.

Kanakam (51) works as a
daily laborer. She was born in a local artisan family who used to weave screwpine
mats. This used to be a small entrepreneurship that brought income to household
women. Her partner is a fisherman.

Black Mother II - Contemporary Heroines is the second part of the ambitious project which was started in the year 1999 – 2000, the first
part of which is titled Black Mother I - Heroines of Silappathikaram shot using medium format film negative.  The third and fourth parts are ongoing.