Smritichitre

 In the wake of the celebration of Marathi everywhere on, and off, the internet yesterday, today let us appreciate the "Smritichitre". It is an autobiography of a highly spirited, intelligent woman. In a way, it is a memoir, too, of the people  in her sphere of life, and of the times, too. 

It is written by Laxmibai Tilak(1868-1936). An unusual woman, hers was a child marriage which was a prevalent practice then. She was hardly eleven when she was married off. Born in to an orthodox Bramhin family, she was married off in to an equally conservative family. Her husband taught her to read and write.  Later, she completed her husband's epic poem. She was that talented.

Her "Smritichitre" is remarkable for two reasons. To begin with, it details her spirited fight against the patriarchal set-up in her family. Hence it is a landmark text in the growth of women's  consciousness in Maharashtra. Her comments against the patriarchal set-up are pithy, witty and trenchant. Her naughty wit and her child like limpid candour shine like a brilliant star.

I like the book for yet another reason. She is born, brought up, is married off, asserts herself during the high tide of the Phule influence. Her treatise thus holds a mirror to reality. 

Thus through her "Smritichitre",  we know that Brahmin women were not submissive doormats. Nor were they mere fodder to male lust.  A few Brahmin widows might have got pregnant after they were widowed.  Yet most were like Laxmibai, waging a war within the household against the patriarchal set-up. There is a huge line-up of such strong ,yes, Brahmin women who, too, changed the societal features, I feel. Hence the relevance of her "Smritichitre"!

Pratima@Every candle illuminates, puts up a fight against darkness!