Narratives of Endurance: Representation of Women in Odia Literature

Over centuries the status of women in Odisha has been shaped by factors like patriarchal mindset, domestic violence, child marriage, poverty, superstitions, trafficking, migration, female feticide, unpaid labour and even low female literacy levels. Irrespective of the presumably improved status in contemporary society, women in Odisha are subject to discrimination and myriad challenges. Striding through their violation of rights as well as adverse family and societal circumstances in ancient, medieval and modern times, several women in Odia fiction and folklore demonstrate resilience. By analysing ancient, medieval and contemporary Odia literary works in English translation, my research focuses on the conditions, predicament and tenacity of women to understand their journey by battling patriarchal barriers and gender stereotypes.