Sangam Age: Women and Femininity

Women of the Sangam Age

• Femininity is a beauty, love, and grace
• Praised as woman are those who possess the virtues of love, modesty, peace and physical beauty
• Women captivating with beautiful eyes are called Karikai
• Romantic women worthy of love by men are called 'Mathar'
• Beauty enjoyed by women is called 'Saayal'
• 'Mellialaar' is associated with women possessing the softness of Saayal
• Women considered the primary factor in the origin of life with the quality of motherhood
• Astonishing lives of women of this time were also filled with immense suffering
• Sangam period society was a heroic society
• Women lived as forgetful women, with self-respect, and morality
• Women faced various challenges

Feminine Qualities

• Fear, shyness, and modesty are qualities hidden in hearts of women
• Trembling is the manifestation of fear
• Shyness arises as shyness
• Modesty can be shown by understanding universal truths, making others aware, and upholding principles with wisdom
• Fear that arose in the heroine was that no harm should befall her husband, stemming from the love she had for him
• Chastity is the unwavering adherence to worshiping only him
• Chastity is the unwavering inner strength when considering her husband as a god
• A woman upholding her life partner is described as a faithful woman
• The Tolkappiyam song states that modesty is greater than life itself, and virtue in conduct is nobler than modesty, making the lives of women lived in the Sangam period worthy of attention

Birth of Girls

• No mindset viewed daughters as bringing a great burden
• Children of all genders were considered great wealth
• All children were treated equally
• Tamil people desired sons and daughters equally for their traits of valor, love, nurturance, and compassion
• People prayed for daughters endowed with love, wisdom, and virtue

Faith

• Women had a deep inclination toward faith
• Unmarried women commonly worshiped Lord Murugan for a husband of their choice
• It was customary to worship Shiva, Vishnu, Murugan, and Kotravai

Education

• Men and women were treated equally
• Women were taught literature (Iyal), music (Isai), and drama (Nadakam while men received physical strength training
• Women skilled in literature, music, and drama were called Mudukuravai
• Ilango Adigal describes Kannagi as a Mudukuravai in Silappathikaram
• Intelligent women advised kings on the battlefield

Excellence in the Field of Muthamizh

• Women excelled in all three branches of Tamil literature: Iyal (Literature), Isai (Music), and Natakam (Drama)
• Melliyalars were young women with exceptional musical talent, and were highly regarded in ancient times
• Tamil kings and common people heeded their wisdom and followed their righteous paths
• Fifty renowned female poets composed verses in the Sangam literary anthologies
• Female poets known as Kaakkai Paadiniyaar authored works on Tamil Yappilakkanam (prosody)
• Sangam-era Tamil women were well-trained in Tamil drama
• Expressing emotions through gestures and facial expressions was a key aspect of acting, called "Virali:, with women skilled in this art being called "Viralies
• King Adhiyaman gifted the rare golden gooseberry (believed to grant longevity) to the learned poetess Avvaiyar.
• Educated women were respected in society

Marriage

• Women transitioned from maidenhood to marriage with more rights and freedom
• Typically selected preferred love marriages over arranged ones
• Tradition existed where women could formally marry the man they loved
• The Akananuru poems depict emotions of love
• Some competitive challenges existed where women could choose their own groom
• Women from Mullai (pastoral) region would marry the man who successfully tamed the bull they had raised
• The groom had to offer brides family a significant dowry to marry her
• Parents did not agree to a marriage if an unworthy groom only offered riches

The Bravery of Women

• Warrior clans were well represented during the Sangam Period Muthin Makkal", honored women born into warrior families
• Inner bravery is well captured in Purananuru poetry
• Some people tell mother that her son died from wound on his back, and mother states "If my son died with a wound on his back, I will cut off the breast that fed him!"
• The mother grabbed a sword and rushed to the battlefield
• The Mother finds her son died from a wound on his chest
• She feels greater joy than when giving birth, relieved he died facing his enemy
• The poet Kaakkai Paadiniyaar Nachchellaiyaar narrates this story
• A woman embodied exceptional valor in ancient times
• A woman gave a spear to a young boy to be sent to war after losing her brother on the first day of battle and her husband on the second, recorded by poet Okkur Maasathiyar
• Heroic women exhibited a deep-rooted warrior spirit for the Tamil people
• Women fought with swords in wartime
• During celebrations they secured victory with dance, like Vallik Koothu

Admirable Women

• Women of the Sangam era inspire as feminists, poets, and achievers
• Literature is the knowledge about the Sangam period
• Women were significant numbers among Sangam poets
• 473 Poets, around 47 were female poets
• Avvaiyar was prolific
• Avvaiyar composed about 59 poems
• Avvaiyar who composed "Moothurai" and "Nannool" is different from who accompanied Sundarar to Mount Kailash.
• Learned from Awaiyar that women were known as "Virali", singing for rewards
• Her contributions to Tamil Literature were vast Her love for Tamil poetry earned her King Athiyaman friendship
• Served as an envoy to King of Kanchi on behalf of Athiyaman, and her mission suggesting success
• Angavai-Sangavaiare, Malai Kurathi llaveyini, and Velliveethiar are some other notable Sangam-era women poets
• Emotions of female characters are portrayed by male poets
• Impact showcases impact women had on Sangam literature

Agony

• Although chastity was strictly enforced for women during the Sangam era, men were not subjected to the same expectations
• Men frequently visited courtesans and practice widely accepted
• Men unrestricted from seeking courtesans, even when their wives were pregnant or menstruating
• Courtesans never given the status of a wife
• Fickle nature of men placed immense pressure on women
• Strict customs for widows after their husbands deaths
• Widows had to shave their heads, refrain from auspicious events, and avoid ghee The Purananuru poem describes the restrictions explicitly
• Instead of enduring harsh conditions it was honorable to self-immolate on her husband's funeral pyre (Sati). Practice of Sati a socially accepted custom.
• Women were also denied education
• Learning and knowledge were not thought for "chaste women
• Social structure emerged where women discouraged pursuing their education
• As an immediate direct consequence education remained in unattainable until almost 200 years for Tamil women
• Great Tamil Epics that were women centered were around Kannagi, Madhavi, and Manimekalai
• Women celebrated but also revered in these works

Role of Women in Freedom Struggle

Rani Lakshmibai

• Born on November 19, 1828, in Varanasi
• She was known as Rani of Jhansi.
• Her birth name was Manikarnika Tambe.
• Her father was a military officer under Peshwa Bajirao II in Bithoor.
• In 1842, at 14, Manikarnika named Lakshmibai, married Raja Gangadhar Rao.
• Her son, Damodar Rao passed away four months after birth
• In 1853, Raja Gangadhar Rao adopted relative's son, Anand Rao, later named Damodar Rao
• The British attempted to annex Jhansi, state did not have a natural heir
• Offered Rani a pension, and requested her out of Jhansi Fort
• In 1857, Rani Lakshmibai took charge of Jhansi as the representative of her late son
• The British forces under Sir Hugh Rose marched to Jhansi for its capture
• Rani demanded British to surrender or face destruction
• Battle went on for two weeks, with the Rani leading her army
• Rani's forces were defeated, she escaped to Kalpi now called Gwalior, then fought alongside Tantia Tope and Nana Saheb
• Rani Lakshmibai died on June 18, 1858, 23 in a battls
• Remarkable beauty, intelligence, perseverance. as stated by Huck Rose

Annexations under the Doctrine of Lapse

• Satara (1848)
• Jaipur and Sambalpur (1849)
• Bhagat (1850)
• Udaipur (1852)
• Jhansi (1853)
• Nagpur (1854)

Begum Hazrat Mahal

• Significant role for the rebellion in Lucknow against the British East India Company in 1857
• Wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Oudh
• Oudh annexed by the British East India Company in 1856
• Nawab exiled to Kolkata
• Raja Jalal Singh supported Begum Mahal and organized a rebellion against British forces
• Crowned her 11 year old son, Birjis Qadr as ruler of Oudh
• Mutiny led by Begum Mahal, Lucknow recaptured, making Mahal retreat
• British forces captured Lucknow
• Mahal sought refuse to Nepal and lived till death in 1879
• Tomb located in central Kathmandu
• Honored at the old Victoria Park on August 15, 1962
• Government of India issued commemorative postal stamp in 1984

Sarojini Naidu

• Known as Nightingale of India, freedom fighter, poet, politician
• In Hyderabad, became the first indian woman to serve president of the indian national congress and first woman governor
• Born February 13 1879
• Entered the independence movement
• Her poetry reflected themes of love, nature, patriotism, and social issues Golden threshold, bird of time and broken wing are poetry works
• Sarojini Naidu was drawn into the independence movement by gopal krishna gokhale's ideals and dedication
• Partition of bengal impacted her, in 1905 actively participated in the independence struggle
• Annie Besant founded All-India Women's Conference and advocated for women's involvement in 1917
• Traveled to American and European countries during the flag for independence
• Joined Gandhi non-cooperation movement in 1919
• Represented Indian congress in 1924
• President of Kanpur congress session in 1925
• Participated in salt march (dandi yatra) with mahatma gandhi
• Dharasana Satyagraha was led by Nehru after Gandhi's arrest in 1931
• Contributed to Quit India Movement in 1942
• 1949 Passed away On March 2

Aruna Asaf Ali

• Referred as freedom fighter in Quit India Movement
• "Grand Old Lady of India Independence"
• Freedom fighter, communist leader and feminist
• Born in Punjab province, british India
• Aruna Ganguly Her birth name
• Married to Asaf Ali, Allahabad congress leader
• Actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha
• Arrested for involvement in Salt March
• Vital role for the launching of the Quit India in 1942
• Congress Flag hoisted at Gowalia Tank Maidan
• Edited Congress's mouthpiece 'Inquilab' to avoid arrest
• The first Mayor of Delhi
• Launched social newspapers

Usha Mehta

Born in Gujarat ,In 1920, she met Mahatma Gandhi for the first time in the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad

• Significant protest in 1928 was against the Simon Commission Her Family moved to Mumbai in 1932
• graduated In 1939 in Bombay (Mumbai)
• Role in the Freedom Struggle was On August 14, 1942,launched secret Congress Radio
• The radio station started functioning on August 27, 1942
• Mehta In recognition of her contributions government celebrated her role during the 50th anniversary of India's independence
• She Passed away on August 11, 2000, at the age of 80

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

• Pandit was Born August 18, 1900, into the Nehru family
• Motilal Nehru, her father, leader and freedom
• married Ranjit Pandit in 1921
• Freedom Struggle happened in 1916
• Besant and Naidu were leaders
• Appointed ambassador and UN leader
• the first ambassador to the Soviet Union and United states

Annie Basent

• Annie Besant Arrived in India in 1893
• Known for Freedom Movement
• Co-Founder Of Home Rule ,and also the India league with. Tilak
• Was arrested in 1917,In the movement
• She became the president of the Indian National Congress
• 1933 Passed Away In Chennai

Social Reformers In Tamil Nadu

Muthulakshmi reddy

• Played a significant role in the history of women's emancipation.
• She is remembered for her contribution to Women's liberation and celebrated i
• She documented her experiences in the book "My Experience " She was Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
• She fought a vigorous ideological battle in the assembly against this inhuman practice with system subjected women to exploitation by temple authoritie

The life of Dharmambal

• Dharmambal was born in 1890 In Thanjavur district
• Also has a keen in Tamil Music she contributed and also was Deeply committed to improving Tamil education among students

Moovalur ramamirtham

• She was born in 1883
• Knew is a good fighter against the Devidas system
• she had Faced Signiacant Challenges
• She is a good fighter against the Devidas system-Known
• She is referred to as, Annie Besant, of Tamil Nadu

Pandita Ramabai

• Ramabai was born in donger in 1858
• There was a family and great known person.
• She travelled to different Places
• She was bold enough to marry
• She helped and educated many Families

Savitribai phule

• Phule was a social reformer of the century
• She was the first teacher also Headmaster of the school she was in
• Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule considered education as an oppressed communities to help them
• 18 schools was opened along her

Role

Velunachiyar

• First Indian women to fight against the British
• She was daughter of Ramanthpuram
• Was married to Muthuvaduganathar Velunachiyar vowed to defeat British and reclaim svagandai

Cuddalore Anjalai Ammal

• Begun her public life in 1921
• the Neelam status removal protest in Quit India
• inspired people with her speech Disguised herself and secrete and droves Gandhi in her horse Marriage

K. P. Janaki Ammal

• She was born in 1970
• five Times in Vellore Jail
• focused in the legislative

Rukmini Lakshmipathi

• Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh
• Re elected In madras legislature Served. as the mister oh Public Health

Vai.Mu. Kothai Nayagi Ammal

• Police officer In Chennai
• was a Tamil writer for her detective Also was known as freedom Fighter
• The family and great was wrote

Padmasani ammal

• Born in 1897 She was the most spreader for barathiyars song
• She Inspired many women to join the freedom moment
• She Imprisonment multiple Times ,but still she continued to fought
• After in all finally took oath as Independent

Krishnammal Jagannathan

• Worked along side her husband
• married In family and great
• Born In village and then She made and provided food for girls women's

Women's safety acts

• Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (prevention prohibition and redressal act, 2013

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT, (POCSO), 2012 Government enacted the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences ACT, 2012 Domestic Violence Act, 2005 Swadhar : A Scheme for Women in Difficult Circumstances

Menstrual awareness

• Menstrual cycles are natural
• One such is the Perception menstruation
• In periods of Women every 28-29
• A regular menstrual cycle indicates a healthy reproductive system

First women

• First Woman President of India Pratibha Patel (2007
• First Woman Prime Minister of India – Indira Gandhi (1966)
• First Woman Governor of India Sarojini Naidu (Uttar Pradesh, 1947 First Woman Chief Minister of a State Sucheta Kripalani (Uttar Pradesh, 1963 etc