Mai
Geetanjali Shree
Translated to English by Nita Kumar
My Rating 5/5 stars
To live in a South Asian country means to grow up with an absolute idea of a mother. A mother is always giving, nurturing, sacrificing and working. Her day begins and ends with looking after the household.
In context with India, this notion also seems to be defined by the structures of caste and class.
Although an opinion of her position, based upon the ideas imbedded in conscience, takes on different interpretations when seen broadly from the lenses of patriarchy or feminism.
With the former, it is more of a responsibility or duty that is taken for granted and in many cases not even given a second thought. In the case of latter, it might be considered as oppression in some situations, where the mothers are deliberately subjugated into drudgery of family grind by the patriarchal structure.
Mai by Geentajali Shree presents to us the complexities brought about by the conflict between both of these ideas in a domestic realm. However more than that it compels us to think when we talk of a mother, exactly whose opinions are being discussed and whether we also explore it from the point of view of the mother herself.
Sunaina and Subodh, the siblings, think the world about their mother and are devastated by what they comprehend to be the situation they find their mother in. They wish to rescue her from the fetters of patriarchy. What they do not see or wish to see is the actual woman behind the purdah.
The book presents to us a nuanced description of the dynamics of generational sensibilities in a small town Indian household and compels us to retreat and take a closer look. We may be surprised by what we find.
It is a must read for anyone interested in the subject of mother.
The complete review is here:
In context with India, this notion also seems to be defined by the structures of caste and class.
Although an opinion of her position, based upon the ideas imbedded in conscience, takes on different interpretations when seen broadly from the lenses of patriarchy or feminism.
With the former, it is more of a responsibility or duty that is taken for granted and in many cases not even given a second thought. In the case of latter, it might be considered as oppression in some situations, where the mothers are deliberately subjugated into drudgery of family grind by the patriarchal structure.
Mai by Geentajali Shree presents to us the complexities brought about by the conflict between both of these ideas in a domestic realm. However more than that it compels us to think when we talk of a mother, exactly whose opinions are being discussed and whether we also explore it from the point of view of the mother herself.
Sunaina and Subodh, the siblings, think the world about their mother and are devastated by what they comprehend to be the situation they find their mother in. They wish to rescue her from the fetters of patriarchy. What they do not see or wish to see is the actual woman behind the purdah.
The book presents to us a nuanced description of the dynamics of generational sensibilities in a small town Indian household and compels us to retreat and take a closer look. We may be surprised by what we find.
It is a must read for anyone interested in the subject of mother.
The complete review is here:
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