Girija, an Empowered Woman in Particular Reference to Rajam Krishnan ‘Lamps in the Whirlpool'

Abstract

The paper focuses on the life of a protagonist Girija, is a typical middle class Brahmin girl, She has completed her post graduation. She worked as a teacher in a village school. She is inspired by her students and Colleagues alike. Girija is married to swaminathan only to do the duties of a Hindu wife in a Brahmin family.  Swaminathan's mother is much a central character as Girija. Because, she treated her daughter-in-law as a slave to do her duties. Girija has to follow the ‘madi' rules and Acharam instructed by her mother-in-law. Her husband is not so caring about his wife. After seventeen years of her married life she used to do only the house hold works. Even she is not having time for relaxation. Rathna, her husband's niece visited her once. Girija awakened by the talk of  Rathna. One  day, her husband throws the plate because the food is not palatable. Girija is irritated by his arrogant  behaviour. For the first time she does not like to please him. Girija leaves, from her home. She wants to spend some time on the banks of the river Ganga. She meets the pilgrims  Gowriammal and her husband.

Girija also meets a spiritual widow in Rishikeshi. She heard the tales of the pilgrims. Girija confesses to that woman about her situation and later asks her to take her life in her hands and act with clarity. Girija returns after four days. She is not allowed to enter the house by her family members. She is torn between her worry for her daughters. She seeks a job with a run who is running a home for refugee children. She worries about her daughters. when they grow up are not destroyed by the family regimen. She wants to keep in touch with her children. Then Girija transforms to a new empowered woman.