Enrichment Lecture: “Women’s Writing from Post-Indentured Societies”

The Department of English Literature and Language at the IIS (Deemed to be University) organized an Enrichment Lecture on “Women’s Writing from Post-Indentured Societies” on September 25^th 2024. The session commenced with a welcome address delivered by Dr. Smita Sharma. Dr. Ritu Tyagi, Professor, Department of French, Pondicherry University, was invited as the guest speaker for the event. Dr. Tyagi traced the history of indentureship, which began in the 19^th century following the abolition of slavery. She highlighted that the initial workforce predominantly comprised males, with a shortage of females, the imbalance leading to various social problems, prompting the recruitment of more women. Eventually, women became a significant group within these societies, enjoying a certain degree of sexual freedom and the autonomy to choose their own partners. However, they also faced domestic violence, often stemming from jealousy.

Dr. Tyagi recommended several books, including The Swinging Bridge, which explores how the history of indentured labourers has been largely silenced and forgotten. She also discussed Jahajin by Peggy Mohan, delving into the migration and struggles faced by labourers, especially women, who had to foster unity while dealing with trauma and displacement. Dr. Tyagi shared her insight into how food and kitchen spaces played vital roles in the construction of identities, as labourers brought seeds from their homeland to preserve their cultural continuity amidst adversity. The interaction concluded with a Q&A session and a vote of thanks by the Head of Department, Prof. Rimika Singhvi.