Fragments of a Life

Book excerpt: This is the life story of Subbalakshmi married at 11 years of age and a mother at 14 in the early 20th century. Hers is yet another instance in the long annals of women whose aspirations, abilities, selfhood, the right to dream and to rebel have been snuffed out by patriarchy. Mythily Sivaraman, a political and social activist of thirty years standing is currently the National Vice-President of the All India Democratic Women s Association. She is the granddaughter of Subbalakshmi.