Routes to Grassroots

Kalpana Karunakaran is an academic, a writer, an activist, and a teacher at IIT Madras, where she researches gender, poverty, and labor movements. She has written a stunning book, ironically titled A Woman of No Consequence, which is the subject of our conversation, where she turns her anthropologist’s lens on her family’s written treasures, specifcally those of her grandmother, Pankajam. 

Through this conversation we dive deep into the topic of moving in the world as a woman. We look at how the questions of a woman's work, her worth and consequence have changed - or more importantly have remained the same - over the past 100 years or so. The scope may sound vast and technical but the conversation unfolds like a fireside chat between friends sharing a warm cuppa. 

You can order a copy a book at Thriftbooks here. 

For more check out some reviews of Kalpana's book: 

https://www.thehindu.com/books/review-of-kalpana-karunakarans-a-woman-of-no-consequence/article70698242.ece

https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/reviewa-woman-of-no-consequence-by-kalpana-karunakaran-101786123580573.html

If the conversation moves you enough to write a comment - note that we have a giveaway for the first 5 commenters on this episode. 

This podcast is made possible by Association for India’s Development or AID, a 501(c)3 charitable organization advancing sustainable development, social justice and disaster relief in India. You can find more about AID's work at www.aidindia.org