Being Childless!

 

One Part Woman, authored by Perumal Murugan, faced backlash for bringing in themes that are sensitive. Kali and Ponna, the central figures of the narrative represent every childless couple in the society. Their wedded bliss having completed two decades is found futile by the onlookers for they failed to have heirs. They count on ways that were believed to bring fortune in the form of children. They envy the trees that bear flowers and fruits and remain self-pitying for they lay barren. Apart from being in possession of land and wealth, they are pulled back every moment for they are deprived of offspring.

Not having children did not cause any stain on their relationship when the novel begins. As the plot progresses, the reader is made to wade through a series of monologues that reels in the minds of Kali as well as Ponna. Kali is caught between two options. Either to remarry and have children or to remain childless. He is, at the same time, dubious about having children with a second woman. Even though Ponna, like any wife, does not like to share her husband with another ultimately forces him to have a second wife. Nonetheless, he succeeds in not getting trapped again because of his consideration and love for Ponna.

Kali and Ponna are often found surrounded by their relatives, close and distant, who make attempts to have an association between their kids and the child-free family! Theirs were no sympathy for the couple but to have the heirless property inherited! These attempts too were of no avail. Ponna was not tolerant enough to withstand the taunting words she often faced from the mothers of those kids. She was treated as ill fortune and considered a bad omen often shunned away from attending auspicious occasions.  

One of the means chosen by them to have fruitful wedlock was to find consort at the feet of Gods. Worshipping, paying tributes, undergoing several sorts of fasting and a series of sacrifices turned a deaf ear to them. Muthu, Ponna’s brother and Kali’s childhood friend approached Kali a day while they were sharing fellowship with an idea. It is believed that on the fourteenth day of the Vaikasi Festival when the Gods climb uphill, all the men on the earth are Gods. Any woman can make love freely with the ‘Gods’ which is not treated as adultery.

Ponna was ready to do anything to have a baby, but only if Kali agrees. Muthu’s advice on sending Ponna to the festival was not accepted by Kali. He knows that Ponna, who is innocent and subservient to her husband, will not agree to it unless Kali says ‘Yes’. Somehow, Muthu succeeds in sending his sister to attend the Vaikasi festival without Kali’s consent. As the pages flip, the love story of Kali and Ponna leaves the reader to ponder on the meaning of life and the meaninglessness of life deprived of love.

Husband-wife relations cannot be assessed in terms of childbearing. Neither the society nor the relatives shall have control over the life of the childless! Happiness is one’s choice! Having or not having children might be of choice or chance. But living life to the fulsome is a choice.

Ms. Saritha. K

Head, Dept. of English

Al Shifa College of Arts and Science