Woman on Her Final Journey: Poem by Meena Kandasamy
In the publication "Ms Militancy", poet Meena Kandasamy presents a powerful and symbolic poem titled "Dead Woman Walking". This work is inspired by the life and legacy of Karaikkal Ammaiyar, a 5th century CE Tamil saint-poet known for her intense devotion and radical feminine spirituality.
The poem pays homage to Ammaiyar, a figure who defied traditional gender and social norms. By invoking Ammaiyar—a woman who described herself as a “woman who has died”—Kandasamy explores themes of female marginalization, resistance, and transformation. The poem uses Ammaiyar’s historical persona as a symbol of reclaiming female agency and confronting oppressive structures.
The poem's protagonist is a woman who has faced hardships. She was once a wife, but her husband left her due to a discrepancy. In her grief, she found solace in art, making music for the world to devour. Her life took a turn, and she ended up walking through an asylum. Her husband was shifty-eyed, and some called her mad, while others referred to her as mother.
Her physical appearance reflects her inner turmoil. Her cheeks are hollowed, and her eyes are bulging. She has welts on her wrists, and her skin is creasing. Her steps falter, and her hair flies. Yet, she walks defiantly, even walking on her head and going to God.
In the poem, the woman sacrifices her six senses, suggesting a profound spiritual transformation. She experiences seizures of speech and song, expressing her inner turmoil and spiritual potency. The single story between her sobbing, pendulous breasts could symbolise the one truth she clings to amidst her trials.
The poem's protagonist sings in praise of dancing dervishes, perhaps symbolising her acceptance and embracing of diverse spiritual practices. Despite being socially erased, she remains spiritually potent and rebellious, walking defiantly through life and art.
Thus, "Dead Woman Walking" is a powerful exploration of female resilience and transformation, rooted in Tamil literary and religious history, yet challenging contemporary gender and caste hierarchies.
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