Sarala Devi (1904-1986) was a poet, novelist, short story writer, critic, translator and columnist of great distinction. She was also an outstanding freedom fighter, feminist, activist, social reformer and educationist to emerge from modern Odisha.
While Sarala spoke of women's oppression as a global phenomenon, she was careful to reject the view, as many later feminists did, of 'women as universal dependents'. While many iconoclasts, then and later, made sweeping generalizations about the uniformly oppressive nature of religion, Sarala argued that our critique must be context specific and be informed by particular histories of women in given societies and ideologies.
Sarala's contribution is noteworthy in at least four areas: first, her critical interventions in building up a modern Odisha in the image of a progressive and modern nation; secondly, her use of literature, especially essays and speeches, for social critique and social transformation; thirdly, her advocacy of an increasing control of women over their biological and reproductive selves; and finally, her espousal of women's participation in the larger public space. Any one of these strands would be enough for ensuring her permanence; together they signify the lasting legacy of an outstanding genius.
Sachidananda Mohanty is Professor, Department of English, University of Hyderabad. He is the recipient of several national and international distinctions including those from the British Council and the Fulbright Foundation. He has also received the Katha Prize, and fellowships from the U.G.C. and the Salzburg Seminar. He has to his credit 21 books in English and in Odia. His essays and articles have appeared in some of the leading journals and forums in the country.
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