Well-known Malayalam author Sarah Joseph is back with a book of short fiction, The Masculine of ‘Virgin’. Translated into English by J Devika, this compilation speaks of the author’s strong views on feminism. She tells Shinie Antony how she opposes subjugation of a particular gender with stories and more stories.
When did you write the Malayalam original of The Masculine of ‘Virgin’?
In 1994, my Malayalam short-story compilation ‘Nilavu Ariyunu’ (The Moonlight Knows) included the story ‘Kanyakayude Pullingam’ (The Masculine of Virgin). Previously, it was published in the Mathrubhoomi, a weekly.
How did the book come about?
During the 80s and 90s, I worked at a women’s organisation Maanushi in Pattambi. I made discrimination against women the subject of my study. Being a language teacher, I noticed that words, grammar, phrases, proverbs used were all masculine. Women used the same vocabulary. They were compelled to use the words even when it was known to be discriminatory against them in sound, meaning and ideas. When a woman says that she is proud of the great cultural ‘pythrikam’ (paternity) of India, she does not realise that this word excludes her gender. I realised that the disparity against low caste women was deep-rooted. Also, words like ‘virgin’, ‘whore’, ‘pativrata’are anti-women. None of these have an equivalent masculine word. I understood that to make language gender-neutral a lot of undoing within language was needed.
Has feminism changed much after you first wrote the book?
Women’s issues change with the times. Feminism is the summary of multiple-thronged research. Since the time I wrote ‘Kanyakayude Pullingam’ women’s issues have been taken up by many new social organisations.
Is India anti-women?
India has always been anti-women. Women are not safe here. The laws of the country, courts and the government, none of these are women-friendly. Rapes, torture, dowry, the murder of female faetus, domestic violence… the list is endless.
What do you like reading?
The Bible, but not for religious reasons. Its linguistic beauty, theoretical gravitas, an overflow of mystical experiences, all this make the Bible my favourite read.
In the short story ‘Passion of Mary’ you say mothers have no rest…
In a man’s world, women have only the status of a victim. Differences in religion, caste and gender lead to authority conflicts and all such victims have mothers. If your son is a killer or hunted to be killed you cannot sleep. When farmlands and water bodies are destroyed in the name of development, no mother can rest. In Kurukshetra it was Abhimanyu that Gandhari wailed for, the enemy’s son. She mourned all those who died as if they were her own sons. I see a mother’s insomnia as her anxiety for water and land.
The story ‘The Moonlight Knows’ shows your passion for ecology.
Love of nature does not mean eulogising nature. I cannot respect a universe that has man at its centre. Even the smallest life form is as important as man. Everyone has to be protected.