False Memory

Virginia Woolf famously stated  in 1929, that A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.  It's 2021 and I would say, to put pen to paper, and then thoughts in writing, is a great challenge if you are a woman.

This constant battle has been a defining challenge for many women writers. Each and every book describes an idea and is a reflection of the times. Be it fiction or nonfiction, I have always wanted to delve into the times and become a writer describing my worlds. So this is my space to share my readings, thoughts and writing.

False memory is a space to explore books, reading, and kickstart writing.

Virginia Woolf famously stated  in 1929, that A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.  It's 2021 and I would say, to put pen to paper, and then thoughts in writing, is a great challenge if you are a woman.

This constant battle has been a defining challenge for many women writers. Each and every book describes an idea and is a reflection of the times. Be it fiction or nonfiction, I have always wanted to delve into the times and become a writer describing my worlds. So this is my space to share my readings, thoughts and writing.

False memory is a space to explore books, reading, and kickstart writing.

There has always been  a fascination about Kannagi, that is common within Tamil society. In short, she is the tragic heroine, whose patience gets tested and whose chastity curses the city. She glorifies the ideal Tamil woman’s characteristics, but personally, this example I feel is very regressive.  I mean one can enjoy the poetry of Silappatikaram, its word-play, but using the characters to etch Tamil womanhood is problematic. This sort of glorification isn’t  progressive, and I do think many women in 2021 feel the same way.

Remarriage, The taboo of re-marriage haunts many women. Prostitution, Women get vilified for sex but the men who indulge in the same act get glorified. Widows, As a society we have not progressed much with regard to widows. Property Rights, The woman is considered a part of the property, without autonomy over the property itself. Contraception,  is viewed as a way to “plan a family” and less about sexual choice.  

Women receive the short end of the stick when it comes to relationships but yet mainstream perceptions still hold them to blame and shame. The aspect of “choice” remains shielded from women.

The easiest way to demean a woman is usually with slurs - on her character. I mean anyone can question her every choice from clothes to character (where her choices of work/life and everything imaginable). All based on the concept "chastity."

To start this series, I want to delve into the book “Penn yen adimaianal”, by Periyar. It has been translated as “Why were women enslaved?”

The book is a collection of essays published in the Kudiarasu magazine and an essential reader for anyone seeking feminist literature.

Compiled on various aspects like chastity, love, property rights the views expressed are radicle for its times.

I want to share my views on these topics that still haunt women.

This is a short intro to False Memory, my space to explore books, reading and kickstart writing.

Music credits: Purple Planet (https://www.purple-planet.com)