A Feminist Outcry: Gendered Resistance in Meena Kandasamy’s Works
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Abstract
This paper delves into the multifaceted theme of gendered resistance within the literary oeuvre of Meena Kandasamy, widely regarded as one of India’s most dynamic and uncompromising contemporary feminist writers. Through an in-depth examination of her poetry, fiction, and autobiographical narratives, this study seeks to unravel the myriad ways in which Kandasamy’s work powerfully confronts patriarchal oppression, caste-based violence, and systemic injustice. By adopting a qualitative thematic analysis, the research not only foregrounds Kandasamy’s innovative narrative strategies and her bold, evocative use of language, but also interrogates the socio-cultural contexts that shape her literary interventions. The analysis illuminates how Kandasamy’s texts serve as sites of agency, transformation, and resistance, offering marginalized women tools for reclaiming their narratives and asserting their identities. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that Kandasamy’s writing transcends the personal and becomes a resonant clarion call for collective feminist action, forging solidarity among readers and activists alike. Her body of work not only documents the lived realities of oppression but also actively envisions alternative possibilities for justice, equality, and empowerment, thereby contributing significantly to both Indian and global feminist discourses. Ultimately, this research underscores Kandasamy’s role as a catalyst for challenging entrenched structures of domination and inspiring new trajectories in feminist literature and activism.
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