Sukirtharani is an Indian feminist[1][2][3] poet who is widely acclaimed for her contribution to contemporary Dalit and Tamil literature.[4]

Sukirtharani is also a Tamil teacher at the Government Girls High School in Ranipet District, and has a master's degree in economics and Tamil literature.[1] Her works include six published collection of poems.[4] The works themselves have been described as celebratory towards the female body and a chastisement of the oppressive caste system which encapsulate a dual experience of being born both a female and a dalit.[3] Her works have also been noted to have an eco-feminist approach to them.[5] She has featured alongside the poets Kutti Revathi, Malathi Maithri and Salma in Lakshmi Holmström's translated compilation Wild Girls Wicked Words.[6] Holmström in her anthology describes Sukirtharani as one who seeks "an infant language with all the rough and physical reality of new birth, sticky with blood".[7]

Awards edit

She has received a number of awards such as the Thevamagal Kavithoovi Award, the Pengal Munnani Achiever Award and the Puthumaipitthan Memorial Award.[1][4]

Selected works edit

Collections edit

  • Kaipattri Yen Kanavu Kel
  • Iravu Mirugam
  • Kaamatthipoo
  • Theendapadaatha Muttham
  • Avalai Mozhipeyarthal
  • Ippadikku Yeval

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Sukirtharani". Poets translating Poets. Goethe Institut. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  2. ^ Gumpenapalli, Sanjeev (10 January 2018). "5 Dalit Women Poets Who Remind Us That Caste And Patriarchy Are Not Exclusive". Feminism In India. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  3. ^ a b Muralidharan, Kavitha (31 August 2013). "Forward, in the past". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Kartikeyan, Divya (16 July 2017). "Interview: A Dalit Poet's Explorations Into Discrimination and the Female Body". The Wire. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  5. ^ Sriram, Abhirami Girija (30 August 2019). "Mapping herstories". Frontline. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  6. ^ Swami, Sridala (16 March 2013). "Book Review | Wild Girls Wicked Words". Livemint. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  7. ^ Chabria, Priya Sarukkai (16 May 2019). "Fafnir's heart: A legend from Norse mythology inspires an anthology of poetry from across the world". Scroll.in. Retrieved 18 November 2020.