Program(s):
Related resources: view
My research topic will explore feminist thought and expression in contemporary India, primarily focusing on writing as a means to analyze the issues that surround understanding equality for women as rhetorical subjects in India’s story and now. India is the world’s largest democracy but named the worst G20 country to be a woman. Literacy rates for women are 20% below male counterparts, violent crime, female infanticide and vast challenges of sexuality, race, religion, caste and class play into how diverse “feminism” is for Indian women.
I am particularly interested in the rhetorical notion of women’s writing, as a writing of the “other,” writing of the bodily experience and audacity to challenge the Western/colonial/white/male canon. Writing about women by women, the writing of women’s bodies and the writing of difference is key to understanding the complexities of feminism in India. I hope that is the microcosm of feminism/writing can reflect the macrocosm that will be the India experience on exchange this fall.
I will base my research in an interdisciplinary way (religion, education, media…), stemming from the people I meet in my travels, resources I have in each place and writing on my own journey also as a part in the research. My initial idea is to create short writing pieces that would capture my experiences and place academic filter on my observations in each subject/experience/city etc. I would use all the resources I can, such as books, news, photographs and interviews with experts and subjects relevant to my research that create a snapshot of feminism in India for the people that will be looking at my work back at home and at school. I think that my research could turn into a senior thesis or further work in India. The rich and untold story of women needs to be more visible and more heard in the media, literary and academic circles. We are more connected and empowered than ever before to discuss intersectional feminism on a local and global scale. I would love to explore feminism in India because the subject is an essential part of who I am and what I believe in.
New Delhi:
Sept 6: Urvashi Butalia lecture recorded with q&a
Sept 21: Trip to Zubaan feminist publishing house
Sept 23: Interview with Urvashi Butalia and two Zubaan staff members Ishani Butalia and Meghna Singh
Currently reading: "Unbound: 2,000 years of women's writing", Tamil women poets book, Meena Alexander book, Zubaan publication "Feminism Without Borders: Decolonizing Theory, Practicing Solidarity"
Chennai project update
-Meet with Salma, watched her documentary and q&a
-In communication with Salma, in the works with a translator to conduct online interview in Tamil and English
-10/26 Interview with Kutti Revathi
-10/26 interview with Kavitha Muralidharan
-Continued readings from feminist works
-Extensive online research on relevant scholarship