Women in Hindi Literature

It has been repeatedly observed that great artists, poets and writers are unable to develop a sense of indifference towards calamitous social realities even when they are exposed to them on a daily basis. Instead, through their sensibilities, emotions, and tools, i.e. their pen, they try to critique the abhorrent practices and ultra conservative ideals plaguing the society..

Women occupying a central position in fiction are unfortunately as rare as women occupying a central position in the real world. For a long time, the portrayal of womanhood was typical and status quoist in the Indian Literature. However, several revolutionary authors in Hindi Literature have stained the literary canvas with the grim realities of patriarchal society that took immense pride in subjugating its female counterparts and blocked every road to their emancipation. These authors made it a point to critique the dehumanizing traditions prevalent and presented the lived realities of women in those times. These female-centric novels and stories were unusual, and their authors were considered a lunatic fringe of radical literature.

Let us have a look at four women who redefined woman and womanhood in their works, immortalizing their existence in the hindi literary world.

1. Krishna Sobti- Born in the Punjab province of the British India, Sobti was educated in Shimla and Delhi. She is a recipient of the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for her novel Zindaginama: Zinda Rukh, which highlights the rural life in Punjab and socio-political turmoil of the time.
   Sobti is considered an important voice in Hindi literature who was not afraid to talk about topics concerning womanhood, sexuality, dominance, marriage. She tried to break free from the parochial and stereotypical narratives that occupied the creative imaginations of other authors.
   Her work Mitro Marjani (To Hell with You Moitro), translated by Gita Rajan and Raji Narsimhan explores themes of patriarchy, sexuality, promiscuity and power. The protagonist, Mitro, a fierce woman who vehemently asserts her identity and plainly refuses to submit her body and desires to the society which considers her a ‘characterless, lustful woman’.
   Surajmukhi Andhere Ke (Sunflowers of the Dark) and Ai Ladki (Hey Girl) are other literary masterpieces by Krishna Sobti which should not miss the eye of readers.

2. Mannu Bhandari – Bhandari, the doyen of Hindi Literature who was also associated with the New Story Movement (Nayi Kahani Movement) had produced influential literature with strong heroines. She sought to investigate the delirious urban middle class who mediated between a tragic past and uncertain future while also dealing with the grey areas between collectivist traditionalism and individualist modernity. This perplexity was evident in institutions like marriage, education, politics, man-woman relationship, divorce, ethics and morality.
   In her short stories such as Yahi Sach hai (Such is Truth), Bhandari narrates the story of an urban woman who finds herself in a predicament when she has to make a choice between her two lovers, the past and the present. Similarly, her novel “Aapka Bunty” allow us to comprehend the issues associated with divorce and remarriage through a child’s perspective. The book sensitizes us to the indelible psychological impacts that dysfunctional families entail upon the impressionable minds of children by robbing them off their innocence and playfulness characteristics. Mannu Bhandari is an author who should not miss the eye of literature enthusiasts.

3. Mridula Garg– Known for her critically acclaimed debut novel “Uske hisse ki Dhoop,” Mridula has contributed extensively to the feminist thought in Hindi Literature. The novel Uske Hisse ki Dhoop is a riveting story which explores the journey of Manisha, a young woman, searching for her own identity and seeking freedom in a patriarchal setting. Here, she is expected to achieve self-actualization through her role as a wife, mother, and as a daughter only. A tumultuous path to self-discovery that a character undertakes with recurrent phases of self-doubt, recovery, introspection makes the novel a Meel ka Patthar in Hindi Literature.

4. Homvati Devi– Homvati Devi fiercely experimented with the Hindi Literature and churned out remarkable stories concerning women and womanhood. Even though, she did not gain popular appeal as a writer, she contributed immensely to the field of Hindi literature. She beautifully penned down some of the most delicate prose promised upon themes such as loss and grief.
   Homvati also served literature in administrative capacity and helped in organizing various literary conferences in Sahitya Parishad which hosted giants such as Ageya and Harivansh Rai Bacchan to name a few. Her story, Apna Ghar provides an impassioned account of a widower who is mistreated by her in-laws. The story probes everyday challenges that a dependent woman grapples with in Indian traditional households, where she is confined to a life of permanent servitude. Devi’s other prominent works include Swapna Bhang and Darohar.

Ashay Raj is a student pursuing Sociology Honours from Jamia Millia Islamia.

Edited by: Gunjit Verma