Arundhathi Subramaniam’s poetry book launched by Prakriti Foundation, Chennai

Prakriti Foundation celebrated feminist literature by hosting a launch event Upside Down Woman Exhibition Written by Arundhathi Subramaniam, poet laureate of Sahitya Akademi on February 7 at the French Alliance in Madras.

The book of poetry honors the bold women who have defied societal norms throughout history and made their way through a chaotic world. Featured women include Mirabai, a mystical poet known for her extreme devotion to Krishna, Akka Mahadevi, a 12th-century poet who shed her clothes as a form of devotion to Shiva, Amrapali, a 5th-century courtesan who went on to devote her life to Buddha, and Chinkottai Avodhai Akal, an 18th-century saint from Tamil Nadu, Lakshminkara, an 8th-century tantric and Uddiyana princess known by her nickname “Princess “The Madwoman” and Janabai, a 13th-century Marathi poet.

The poems acknowledge the complexity of femininity, navigating and shaping layers of femininity.

During the poetry reading session, Arundhathi gave voice to these neglected figures in sacred poetry. Emphasizing their ferocity and ambition, she gave a glimpse into the journey she took to understand these women better. Armil Valli, an Indian classical dancer and founder of the Debasikha Dance Foundation, also attended the event.

Ranveer Shah, founder of Prakriti Foundation, was also discussing the influence of her love for poetry on the book. Blending this with the influence of spirituality, the session also examined how spirituality is not a tool for achieving peace, but rather a tool for strengthening character.

Read | Poems are not meant to be read just for a minute, says Arundhathi Subramaniam

“I wanted my poems to be serious,” Arundhathi said. “Not the soft, delicate Mirabai poems as they were translated to us then, but the Mirabai who told the little bird that she would tear her wings if she did not bring Krishna to her.”

The audience also had the opportunity to interact with Arundhathi, asking her about her poetry, why she chose women in her book, and how she understood them. She gave a broad perspective on feminist literature and how poetry is an evolving landscape, allowing those to express what cannot be found in books.