The ‘New Woman’ of the Gender Paradoxical Kerala: A Study on K.R. Meera’s Qabar
Keywords:
Gender-paradox, ‘New Woman’, K.R. Meera, Qabar, Keralan womanAbstract
This paper attempts to examine the concept of the ‘New Woman’ within the socio-cultural milieu of Kerala, considering the prevailing “gender paradox” in the state. The analysis is based on the novella Qabar by the Sahitya Akademi Award-winning author K.R. Meera. It is both a feminist tract and a pure fantasy romance infused with magical realism. Qabar is the story of Bhavana Sachidanandan, a single mother who grapples with raising her son with ADHD amidst societal challenges. The paper aims to analyse the two main female characters, Bhavana and her mother, who represent modern Keralan women, both educated and working, albeit from two generations. The paper will explore both the commonalities and disparities in their perceptions. In addition to exploring how the concept has evolved in a state like Kerala, the paper also seeks to understand how a prolific feminist writer, such as K.R. Meera, envisions women in contemporary society.
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