Nayagi Initiative Revives Legacy of Tamil Women Writers Through Seminars and Publications
In January 2025, a casual conversation among women readers at the Chennai Book Fair sparked a significant literary movement. The group, discussing contemporary Tamil writing and notable female authors to watch that year, found themselves without clear answers. This led them to shift their focus to a largely overlooked segment: books in Tamil written by women authors from the early 20th century onwards.
The Birth of Nayagi and Its Mission
Deepa Janakiraman, one of the coordinators of the resulting initiative called Nayagi, explains, "That's how Nayagi was born." Their exploration into Tamil women writers of the early 1900s uncovered surprising literary contributions, ranging from detective fiction—a genre often avoided by male writers of the time—to powerful narratives on women's empowerment.
For instance, Sithi Junaitha Begum emerged as a notable figure. During the 1930s, amidst Periyar's self-respect movement and anti-Hindi agitations, she passionately declared her willingness to sacrifice her life and follow Periyar's footsteps to protect her mother tongue. Other pioneers included Vai Mu Kothainayaki, who edited magazines like 'Jaganmohini' in the 1920s, and Anuthama, who became a household name through her columns in publications such as Kalaimagal and Ananda Vikatan in the 1940s.
"We wanted to take those writers and their work to a larger audience, to document them and their efforts," emphasizes Deepa. This mission drove Nayagi to organize impactful events that brought these hidden literary gems into the spotlight.
Key Events and Expanding Focus
On March 22, 2025, Nayagi hosted a day-long seminar that highlighted 12 less-known 21st-century Tamil women writers. The event featured both obscure figures like Sithi Junaitha Begum, Vai Mu Kothainayaki Ammal, and Savithri Ammal, as well as more popular authors such as Hephzibah Jesudasan, Anuthama, R Chudamani, and Rajam Krishnan. The seminar was a resounding success, prompting the group to organize 'Nayagi 1947', an event dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of the wives of freedom fighters.
This second event shed light on remarkable personalities including:
- Ponnammal Vanchinathan
- Chellamma Bharati
- Bhagyalakshmi V V S Aiyar
- Meenakshi Ammal V O Chidambaranar
- Jebamani Masilamani
- Muthammal-Soundarammal Ramalingam Pillai
Nayagi's third event broadened its scope to celebrate women folk musicians, Sufi poets, dance-drama stars, and women playback singers from the 18th and 19th centuries. "We did one every four months," notes Deepa, highlighting the consistent effort to revive and recognize diverse female contributions to Tamil culture.
Publications and Team Composition
The lectures from these seminars have been compiled into a book titled 'Nayagi 2025', published by Chennai-based Zero Degree Publishing. The book was launched during the first event of 'Nayagi 2026', held recently in the city. This publication serves as a tangible record of the initiative's efforts to preserve and promote the legacy of Tamil women writers.
The Nayagi team comprises a diverse group of professionals passionate about literature and culture:
- Ahila Sridhar – Assistant film director
- Deepa Janakiraman – Film writer
- Gayathri R – Publisher
- Jayasri – Special educator
- Palaivana Lanthar – Poet and art activist
- Reva – Poet
- Savitha – Short story writer
- Tamil Ponni – Writer
Despite its focus on women achievers, Nayagi adopts an inclusive approach by involving experts regardless of gender. Indran Rajendran, a poet and critic who served as a chief guest at a recent event, observes, "Though Nayagi focuses on women achievers, they rope in experts regardless of gender."
This initiative not only revives forgotten literary histories but also fosters a broader appreciation for the rich cultural contributions of Tamil women across centuries.
