Poetry, a powerful art form, has always provided a platform for individuals to express their emotions and perspectives. It has consistently challenged societal norms and sparked collective consciousness, making it an ideal medium for discussing feminism in the contemporary world. Ambika Ananth’s latest poetry collection, ‘Cascades’, not only captures the struggles, victories, and aspirations of women but also provides a voice to the silenced and empowers the oppressed. Ananth’s unflinching and sensitive poems in ‘Cascades’ challenge gender norms and advocate for gender equity, shedding light on the complexities of gender inequality and the quest for women’s empowerment. The collection is published with Writers International Edition owned by Preeth Padmanabhan Nambiar.
Indian feminist poetry has emerged as a powerful means of expression, encompassing diverse experiences of women in a patriarchal society. Drawing inspiration from influential feminist thinkers like Judith Butler, Helen Cixous, and Simone de Beauvoir, Indian feminist poets aim to question and redefine existing norms, gender roles, and create a more inclusive and equal society. In this context, Ambika Ananth’s feminist approach in her poetry collection, ‘Cascades’, brings a fresh perspective to the realm of Indian feminist poetry.
Ambika Ananth is an emerging force in Feminist Poetry. Her thought-provoking and eloquent prose, as praised by Irene Doura Kavadia, a renowned author and linguist, have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. Kavadia identifies Ananth as a multi-talented writer, poet, journalist, reviewer, and translator who skillfully addresses the struggles and triumphs of women through her words. Ananth’s poetry delves into themes like gender inequality, women’s empowerment, body politics, and socio-cultural taboos, effectively challenging oppressive narratives and envisioning a more equitable future for women.
Prominent feminist poets like Adrienne Rich and Sylvia Plath have revealed the power of women’s voices in transforming societal perceptions and dismantling patriarchal systems. Rich’s quote, “When a woman tells the truth, she is creating the possibility for more truth around her,” encapsulates feminist poetry’s essence. Similarly, Plath’s declaration in “The Bell Jar,” “I am too pure for you or anyone,” emphasizes the struggle against societal expectations and the importance of self-discovery and rejecting conventional norms. Ambika Ananth’s compelling poetry resonates with women worldwide, inspiring them to break free from oppressive norms and embrace their authentic selves.
In ‘Cascades’, she skillfully highlights feminist themes and ideas through her powerful and evocative verses. One of the notable aspects of her work is her ability to capture the strength and resilience of women. In the poem ‘Dependence’, Ananth portrays a woman who is finding her own path and embracing love and grace. This image of a woman in flight represents her freedom and empowerment, challenging traditional notions of dependency and submissiveness. While reading her poetry, these lines of Kamala Das echo- “In the pages of my verse, I shed the layers of oppression and nurture my voice, loud and unapologetic, defying the silences that society imposes on me.”
Ambika’s poems empower women from all walks of life, urging them to stand together and fight for equality and justice. There are poems in the collection that clearly deal with the issues of power dynamics and gender hierarchy. Furthermore, being a sensitive woman towards girls and women in the society who face sexual harassment, she speaks on behalf of them in her poem ‘Don’t Bear It, Bellow It’- “She felt like a wilting leaf suffocated by his hot breaths / She felt fully naked under his lusty gazes / His hands like uncoiling snakes / Slithered up her skirt folds / Caressed her thighs with menacing boldness / His hound-like face smirked in triumph / She felt powerless in that black sea of lust / She felt violated in every cell of her body / Her boss, a sophisticated contraption of sexual overtures / Rapaciously enjoyed this onslaught on her soul / A soul which is like an un-healing wound.”
Ambika portrays the anguishes of victimized women in the society and the treatment they get after that heinous act without any mistake of them, hence they are the ones who have to live the life of remorse and ignominy after being harassed. She continues in the poem- “A soul housed in a cold and lonely skin / Her every heartbeat holding deep hurt, / She lived a life of untold shame and guilt / For carnal wrongs done by him”. It reminds us of Maya Angelou’s words: “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
In contemporary era, Ambika connects with the fraternity of feminist poets such as Rupi Kaur, Meena Kandasamy and Rochelle Potkar who have taken the genre by storm. Like Kaur, Kandasamy and Potkar, her raw and unapologetic words challenge societal taboos by speaking openly about the female body, trauma, and self-acceptance, helping to eradicate shame and inspire self-love. Ambika tries to awaken women’ consciousness through her poem ‘Chained’- “Don’t scream out your secrets, / preserve them in your soul / you are but a woman, / abandon your identity / before you could find out its significance. / Be a willing prisoner, / forget about growing wings of freedom. / Don’t wait for a miracle, / you cannot build a road to it, / your footsteps are barred, / your mind is chained: / the door to happiness / is shut on your face for the last time, / when he entered your life!” This poem serves as a call to action for women to break free from societal expectations and embrace their individuality. Well-known author Arundhati Roy has also said- “Break the chains of expectations, for I am not content in predefined roles. I create my own identity, perpetually evolving, carving my place in this world.” The poem powerfully captures the struggles and oppression women face, urging them not to silence their voices and preserve their secrets. It is through this brave expression that women can resist the limitations placed upon them and reclaim their identities.
Another poem, ‘Life’s Mysteriousness’, portrays the fearlessness and boisterous spirit of women. Ananth paints a vivid picture of a woman who defies societal expectations and embraces her power and strength. This image of a woman as a fierce blizzard or a burning inferno showcases her ability to fight not only external obstacles but also those imposed upon her by society. The poem celebrates the innate power that women possess, transforming the idea of femininity into a force to be reckoned with.
Amalgamating her insight and experiences with vivid imagery, hopping metaphors and mythological references of Lord Krishna, Shanti and Shakti, and suggestive, thought provoking and sensitivity stirring language that stimulates our wits for a social change. At places she snatches solace or other places she soothes the hearts questioning or inspiring within.
One of the strengths of Ananth’s poetry is her ability to elicit strong emotions from the reader. In the poem ‘When’, she delves into the pain and anguish experienced by women who have suffered in silence. The stark imagery of “folded hands, pleading eyes, stony lips, and frozen limbs” evokes a sense of helplessness and despair. Her poetry is ekphrastic, tear-jerking and senses-stirring. Through her use of vivid language and emotive descriptions, Ananth brings to light the injustices faced by women, forcing the reader to confront and acknowledge their existence.
‘Cascades’ stands as a powerful testament to the enduring relevance and transformative power of feminist poetry. Through her profound and sensitive verses, Ananth empowers women by shedding light on their struggles, challenging gender norms, and envisioning a more equal future. Drawing on the legacy of influential feminist poets and thinkers, Ananth joins the clan of those poets who use their words to expose truth, confront patriarchal systems, and inspire change. Rupi Kaur also divulged that she wrote to untangle the knots society had tied around her, to reclaim her narrative from the pages it was erased from, and to scribble her truth onto a world hungry for change.
Ambika’s poetry collection ‘Cascades’ is evidence to the resilience and strength of women, reminding us that poetry can be a catalyst for empowerment and social progress. The emotional depth and powerful imagery of her poetry make it a compelling read for anyone seeking to gain insights into the experiences of women.
(Dr. Shalini Yadav is a Professor, Writer and Columnist.)
