International Women’s Day 2024: Indian Female Authors Narrating Intricacies of Feminism, Marriage, And Relationships

Women’s Day 2024: International Women’s Day is celebrated across the world to honour the women of our lives. Women, a word that can break all the boundaries for their survival in this world where still, even after all the campaigns and prominence of strong feminism pounding the streets, still struggle for distinguishment amongst the lost horde of people. A woman could be your wife, your mother, your daughter, and all the responsible roles that a female carries.

Every year we celebrate Women’s Day and highlight the importance of respecting women, but just for a day? Some of us feel the need to validate ourselves in society, believe it or not, there was that one moment in your life when you felt the need to explain yourself in front of people, right? It happens, always. This is not your fault, it has been like this in the past times, but breaking these stereotypes, authors have encouraged and inspired women to fight for their dreams. From time to time, female authors have written some wonderful masterpieces which have been acknowledged as some of the greatest works in literary history.

Let us delve into some of the beautifully written books by renowned Indian women authors and their best works. 

Anita Desai

Anita Desai is a popular author who has written numerous books, short stories, and novels. She focuses her writing on women’s rights and marriage, inspiring younger women to write and express themselves. She has won numerous prestigious awards, including the Booker Prize, the Sahitya Akademy Award, and the British Guardian Prize. She has written several books, including In Custody, The Village by the Sea, Fire on the Mountain, and Fasting, Feasting.

Preeti Shenoy

Preeti Shenoy is an Indian writer and artist who primarily uses a straightforward, captivating writing style to capture everyday events. Since 2013, she has been nominated for Forbes’ top 100 most influential Indians. Her published works include 34 Bubblegums and Candies, Life Is What You Make It, Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake, The Secret Wish List, The One You Cannot Have, It Happens for a Reason, and A Hundred Little Flames.

Ashapoorna Devi

Ashapoorna Devi, a well-known Bengali poet and novelist, has written at least thirty novels. Focusing on patriarchal society and gender bias, she had brought the revolutionary climax in her writings, requiring women to speak up for their own rights and take necessary staggering actions. Her three most well-known books are Pratham Protisruti, Subarnalata, and Bokul Katha. Ashapoorna Devi received the Jnanpith and Padma Shri awards from the Government of India in 1976, as well as the Sahitya Akademi award in 1994.

Kamala Das

Kamala Das is best known for her outspoken and candid expression. Her poems are notable for their acute obsession with love and use of confession. Her poetry focuses on freedom, love, and protection. Some of her stories are Pakshiyude Manam, Neypayasam, Thanuppu, and Chandana Marangal. She wrote a few novels, the most notable being Neermathalam Pootha Kalam, which was well received by both general readers and critics. Her most recent book, The Kept Woman and Other Stories, collected translations of her short stories. Kamala Das is best known for her controversial writings, in which she openly discusses the restrictions placed on women. 

Kavita Kané

Kavita Kané, a senior journalist with over two decades of experience, is the author of four best-sellers: Karna’s Wife, Sita;s Sister, Menaka’s Choice, and Lanka’s Princess. Kavita Kané primarily writes mythology fiction, and all of her books are based on Indian mythology.