Feminist Thoughts in Bharathiyar Poetry

Abstract

Human society is a society where men and women live together. During the barbaric period, women were given more and more equal rights. That society was called the matriarchal society. Women were worshipped as mother goddesses. Women are worshipped as goddesses in literature, and are referred to as the Goddess of Victory and Suli. In Sangam literature, women were poets and knowledgeable enough to act as messengers. But the woman who was worshipped as Adishakthi was suppressed, oppressed, and disenfranchised in mediaeval times. The policy of not teaching women who do cooking was strengthened, and education was denied. There is no difference between men and women except in physical appearance. But they were included in the list of those who needed to be protected. It was Bharathiyar who appeared as the dawn of women's renaissance at that time. He wanted women to be well-dressed and presentable. A woman is naturally very knowledgeable. But some fools spoiled her knowledge. Women should be educated and their knowledge should be expanded. Bharathiyar wanted women to rule and make laws. He said chastity should be common to both men and women. A woman's power lies in her willpower. Society will prosper only if we realise the power of women and treat them as fellow human beings and give them equal rights. Where women are treated with due respect, society thrives.