International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences

Vol-8, Issue-3; May-Jun, 2023

Peer-Reviewed Journal

Journal Home Page Available: https://ijels.com/

Journal DOI: 10.22161/ijels

The Empowered Pen: The Enduring contribution of

women writers in Indian Literature
Parishmita Taye

Department of English Literature, Gauhati University, Assam, India

Received: 10 May 2023; Received in revised form: 08 Jun 2023; Accepted: 19 Jun 2023; Available online: 29 Jun 2023
©2023 The Author(s). Published by Infogain Publication. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Abstract— The contribution of women in Indian literature has been pivotal, shaping and enriching the
literary landscape of the nation. Over the years, women have played a significant and transformative role
in the landscape of Indian literature, showcasing their creative abilities, resilience, and the feminine
identity. Their contribution spans across various literary genres, including poetry, fiction, memoirs, and
plays, highlighting diverse themes. This paper explores the invaluable contribution of women writers in
Indian literature, throughout history to the contemporary era as well as displaying their unique perspectives,
thematic explorations, and literary achievements. It also discusses the emergence of feminist literature in
India, emphasizing how women writers have given voice to the marginalized and championed gender
equality. Moreover, it aims to highlight the indelible mark left by women in Indian literature, emphasizing
their phenomenal contributions in enriching the literary landscape, empowering generations, and fostering
social progress.
Keywords—Contribution, Feminine identity, Indian literature, Literary genres, women writers.

INTRODUCTION across a variety of genres. A number of these talented and

the introduction Indian literature has a rich and diverse creative female writers and poets defied societal norms and
tradition that is characterized by great complexity and showcased their immense talent and creativity. The
richness. It encompasses a vast range of languages, themes, contributions of Indian women in literature can be traced
and styles, reflecting the cultural and linguistic diversity of back to the ancient Sanskrit texts such as the Vedas,
the Indian subcontinent. The literary traditions in India can Upanishads, and the Mahabharata. Women such as Maitreyi
be traced back to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, and Gargi, who were part of the Vedic system, challenged
which existed around 2500 BCE. However, the earliest traditional gender roles and advocated for equal rights.
surviving works of Indian literature are the Vedas, a Rishi Lopamudra is credited with writing the
collection of ancient religious texts written in Sanskrit. Vishnudharmottara Purana (4th-5th century CE). A
Throughout history, the voices of Indian women have often prominent figure in the history of Indian literature, she is
been silenced or marginalized. Nevertheless, Indian women considered one of the earliest female authors to be known.
have consistently used literature as a powerful tool to In the Vishnudharmottara Purana, temple architecture,
express themselves and to challenge the patriarchal norms paintings, sculpture, and other arts are described in detail.
and oppressive cultural practices that have dominated In Buddhism, there is a collection of poems called
Indian society for centuries and carving out a space for their Therigatha, also known as “Verses of the Elder Nuns,”
voices to be heard. Their contributions to literature have which is a collection of poems that are attributed to the early
been significant, yet often overlooked. Buddhist nuns. The text is composed of verses composed by
Over the centuries, Indian literature displays the Buddhist women practitioners. As they write these poems,
significant contributions of women writers, who contributed they express their spiritual experiences, struggles, and

IJELS-2023, 8(3), (ISSN: 2456-7620) (Int. J of Eng. Lit. and Soc. Sci.)
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Taye Happiness and Individual

insights into the teachings of the Buddha that have helped During the 13th century, there was an another important
them throughout their lives. One of the most notable figures saint-poet of the Varkari Bhakti tradition in Maharashtra
from this period is the Tamil poet Avvaiyar, who lived in named Muktabai. She composed abhangas (devotional
the Sangam era (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE). These songs) in Marathi, emphasizing devotion to Lord Vitthal (a
poems are referred to as Sangam literature. Many women form of Lord Krishna). Her work, collectively known as
poets, known as “Auvaiyars,” contributed to this body of “Muktabai Abhangas,” is revered for its simplicity,
work. It is their poetry that has made them highly regarded spirituality, and social critique.
for its literary beauty and wisdom, as they addressed themes While most of the aforementioned women writers were
such as love, morality, and social issues. Avvaiyar’s poetry poets, Chand Bardai stands out as a female prose writer. She
also reflects a deep understanding of human emotions and a is known for composing the epic poem “Prithviraj Raso” in
keen observation of society. Her verses continue to be Avadhi language. The epic narrates the life and exploits of
revered and studied today. the legendary king Prithviraj Chauhan and is considered a
Among the most renowned Tamil poet-saints of the 9th significant work in medieval Indian literature and a classic
and 12th centuries CE are Andal and Akka Mahadevi. Both literary work.
of those poets are known for their devotional poetry. The The colonial era witnessed a significant shift in the
Tiruppavai and the Nachiar Tirumozhi are two of Andal’s landscape of women’s writing in India. English became a
most renowned compositions. An important Kannada poet- prominent language of literary expression, and women
saint, Akka Mahadevi composed vachanas, “I Have Taken writers began to use it to convey their thoughts and
Refuge” is one of her most famous vachanas, which experiences. Toru Dutt, born in 1856, is often considered
illustrates the spontaneous expressions of devotion to Lord India’s first woman poet in English. Her collection of
Shiva. Both of these women have played an important role poems, “A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields,” showcases her
in the Bhakti movement in South India and have made talent for blending Western literary styles with Indian
significant contributions. themes. Her another work “Ancient Ballads and Legends of
During the medieval period in Indian literature, which Hindustan,” beautifully captured Indian mythology and
roughly spanned from the 6th century up until the end of the folklore, presenting them to a wider audience. Toru Dutt’s
18th century, female writers contributed significantly to writings reflected her deep knowledge of Indian culture and
enhancing the literary landscape of the period, leaving an her ability to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western
indelible mark on the landscape of Indian literature. Often literary traditions. Another influential writer of the colonial
from diverse backgrounds and regions, these women writers era is Sarojini Naidu, known as the “Nightingale of India.”
contributed to numerous genres, including poetry, narrative Naidu was a poet and political activist who played a
literature, and religious texts. In this period, several women significant role in the Indian independence movement. Her
Sufi saints in India composed mystical poetry. Rabia Basri poetry, characterized by its lyrical beauty and patriotic
(8th century CE), Mah Laqa Bai Chanda (18th century CE), fervor, highlighted themes of freedom, nationalism, and
and Lalla Ded (14th century CE). They are among the women’s rights. Kamala Das, also known as Kamala
notable female Sufi poets who expressed their devotion and Surayya, emerged as a prominent voice in Indian literature
spiritual experiences through their verses. Another mystic during the mid-20th century. Her bold and confessional style
poetess, Lal Deb, who lived in Kashmir around the 14 th broke new ground in Indian literature, opening up
century also known as Lalleshwari and Lalla Arifa, in her discussions on taboo subjects and challenging societal
verses, which are composed in Kashmiri, explores the norms. Kamala Das’s works, such as “My Story” and “The
themes of spirituality, love, and the emergence of one’s true Descendants,” offered a unique perspective on the
selves. In her collection of poems, “Lal Vakhs,” she complexities of being a woman in India during the colonial
demonstrates an innate wisdom and spiritual insight that is era. Amrita Pritam, a Punjabi writer, left an exceptional
both profound and insightful. Another notable poetess and mark on Indian literature with her evocative poetry and
devotee of Lord Krishna who lived in Rajasthan during the poignant novels. Her writings reflected her experiences as a
16th century was Mirabai, who was regarded as a remarkable woman and explored themes of love, longing, and the
poetess. Bhajans (devotional songs) of hers are renowned struggles faced by women in a male-dominated society.
for their emotional intensity and unwavering devotion. Her Pritam’s literary contributions resonated deeply with
famous composition, “Mere To Giridhar Gopal,” expresses readers, earning her accolades and making her a celebrated
her devotion to Krishna and renunciation of social norms. figure in Indian literature.
Her works were widely circulated throughout India, and her However, it was not until the early 20th century that
bhajans are still sung today. women began to emerge as writers. Indian women writers
from this era, such as Kamala Markandaya and Ismat
IJELS-2023, 8(3), (ISSN: 2456-7620) (Int. J of Eng. Lit. and Soc. Sci.)
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Taye Happiness and Individual

Chughtai, explored themes of caste, class, gender, and novel that deals with domestic violence and the experience
identity in their works and started to challenge traditional of being a feminist in India. The novel portrays the struggle
societal roles and address issues of gender inequality, of an educated woman who falls in love with a charming
patriarchy, and social injustice through their writing. Ismat man and later discovers that he is abusive.
Chughtai, an Urdu writer, known for her frank and bold Many Indian women writers have also used their works
depictions of female sexuality. Her short stories in “Lihaaf” to critique heteronormativity and explore queer issues.
(The Quilt), openly discussed female sexuality, Writer and filmmaker Deepa Mehta addressed the stigma
homosexuality, challenged prevailing norms and desire that surrounding homosexuality and AIDS in her film trilogy
were taboo at the time. While, Markandaya’s novel Nectar Fire, Earth, and Water, while author and illustrator Priya
in a Sieve, chronicles the life of a peasant woman in rural Kuriyan’s Amma and the Hamsters portrays a young girl
India. coming to terms with her mother’s sexuality.
In the post-independence era, women writers such as Thus, we observed that the works of Indian women
Mahashweta Devi and Arundhati Roy addressed issues of writers have contributed to feminist, postcolonial, and
socio-political injustice, human rights, and environmental intersectional discourses. Their works can be seen as an
degradation in their work. Devi’s Draupadi, is a powerful effective tool for challenging dominant structures and
novel that portrayed the story of a young tribal woman who providing an alternative perspective on issues that have
is sexually assaulted by upper-caste men, highlighting the been historically ignored or oppressed in Indian literature.
intersection of caste and gender. Roy’s The God of Small The writers have used literature as a form of resistance, to
Things, won the Booker Prize for Fiction in 1997 and challenge oppressive structures and norms, and to advocate
became one of the best-selling books by an Indian author for social justice.
which delved into the complexities of gender and sexual
The use of feminist frameworks in Indian literature has
identity through the experiences of two young twins from
been crucial, as it has helped to challenge patriarchal
Kerala and East-West cultural encounters.
structures and advocate for women’s rights. Many Indian
Contemporary Indian women writers, such as Jhumpa women writers have used their works to portray the complex
Lahiri, Anita Desai, and Arundhati Roy (who has also and diverse experiences of women living in India today. By
written non-fiction works), have explored issues of cultural examining the intersection of gender and caste, race,
identity, diaspora, and belonging. Lahiri’s The Namesake disability, and sexuality, writers have highlighted the
examines the complexity of identity through the diverse experiences of Indian women and exposed the
experiences of a second-generation Bengali immigrant intersectionality of various forms of oppression.
family in the United States, while Roy’s The Ministry of
Post colonialism has been another important framework
Utmost Happiness critiques contemporary politics while
used by Indian women writers. They have challenged
exploring the stories of marginalized communities. Desai’s
dominant Western narratives about India and its people and
work, in particular, has provided insight into the lives of
provided a complex and nuanced understanding of the
Indian women and their struggles in today’s world.
social, cultural, and political realities of the country. The
Several Indian women writers have used feminist and writers have highlighted the impact of colonialism on the
postcolonial theories to analyze and critique the society Indian psyche and the ongoing struggles of postcolonial
around them. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s novels explore India.
the experiences of South Asian women who have migrated
to the United States. In her novel Mistress of Spices, she
depicts the life of an Indian woman living in Oakland, CONCLUSION
California, who runs a spice shop. Shashi Deshpande, in her In conclusion, Indian women writers have played a
novel That Long Silence, examines the life of a middle-class significant role in reshaping the literary landscape of India.
Indian woman who is struggling to assert her independence Their works offer alternative perspectives on issues of
in a patriarchal society. gender, caste, class, identity, and culture and demonstrate
The intersectionality of Indian women’s experiences of the power of storytelling to challenge oppressive structures.
caste, class, religion, sexuality, and disability have also been By examining the works of Indian women writers through
explored by several writers. Bama’s Karukku is a semi- feminist, postcolonial, and intersectional frameworks, this
autobiographical novel that describes her life as a Dalit paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the cultural
woman. This work demonstrates the importance of and social issues faced by Indian women.
highlighting the diverse and multifaceted experiences of The influence of Indian women writers can be seen in the
Indian women. Meena Kandasamy’s When I Hit You is a growing number of women authors being published and

IJELS-2023, 8(3), (ISSN: 2456-7620) (Int. J of Eng. Lit. and Soc. Sci.)
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.83.70 468
Taye Happiness and Individual

recognized in the literary world. However, there is still a

long way to go in terms of gender equality in the publishing
industry and in society as a whole. It is essential to include
Indian women’s voices in literary discussions to provide a
more accurate and nuanced picture of Indian society.

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IJELS-2023, 8(3), (ISSN: 2456-7620) (Int. J of Eng. Lit. and Soc. Sci.)
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.83.70 469