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A lover of poetry and a poet herself, Veena Shankar Kunnath wields her words as a weapon to prise open the unsaid things and reveal the hurts within.
Every month, we recognise 3 among 2500+ contributors, as featured Author of the Month – for their writing that keeps readers engrossed and makes us all think afresh. This month, Veena Shankar Kunnath is one of our 3 featured authors. Veena is a versatile writer interested in both poetry and prose. You can find her writing on Women’s Web here and at her own blog.
Authors are often asked this question, but everyone has their own reasons, very personal to them. So, why do you write?
Writing is my way of venting out my frustrations when I am angry and putting out my point of view about things that need to be spoken about , but are never – because they get lost somewhere among shallow, everyday conversations.
Discussing about these things would really make our lives a lot more easier.
What do you enjoy reading? Does any of it help your writing?
I love reading poetry – particularly Sir Alfred Tennyson , Lord Byron and Pablo Neruda. Khaled Housseini, Han Kang, J D Sallinger and Harper Lee are other writers I enjoy. Harry Potter, however is one book I think I will never get over and never get tired of re-reading!
Yes…books pick me up when I am at my lowest of lows. They help me stay in one piece and hence help me write .
When it comes to writing on/for/about women, what questions and issues drive you the most?
As women in India, inequality plagues you at every age. This inequality makes both men and women suffer. The fight was never between men and women. The fight is between equality and inequality.
Could you narrate an issue or incident in your life which you think was gender related, and you handled it in a way that has made you proud.
Walking away from people who do not respect me for what I am and what I believe in .
Name 3 other writers or bloggers on Women’s Web whose writing you enjoy reading.
I love the works of Tanvi Sinha, Kashmira Lad and Anne John!
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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