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A review by nuts246
The Queen of Jasmine Country by Sharanya Manivannan
5.0
Like every other Tamilian, I had heard the name of Andal and was aware of the Tirupavai which was sung in the month of Margazhi, but that was the extent of my knowledge till a friend literally forced me to read this book. It was with misgivings that I picked the book up, because I am uncomfortable reading anything that has too much to do with religion.
However, I was hooked from the moment I started reading. Kodhai is not your typical religious girl. She is a sensual woman who yeans for love. She is acutely conscious of her beauty, and what she desires is not a spiritual relationship with her Lord, but a physical relationship. Her longing spills out from every pore of her body, she yearns for Him, she wants to press Him to her breasts and merge with Him. She spends her days and nights dreaming of Him, and praying to Kamdeval to give Him to her.
Kodhai is also a woman conscious of the 'cruel laws and cultural mores' that restrict the freedom of women. "Some women have wider cages than others . Yet I felt my boundaries all the time", she says, even as she pushes the boundaries of what a woman of her caste and century can do. Born in the 9th century, she could have been speaking for the woman of today.
It is a short read which ended before I wanted it to. I was almost tempted to flip it over and start yet again.
However, I was hooked from the moment I started reading. Kodhai is not your typical religious girl. She is a sensual woman who yeans for love. She is acutely conscious of her beauty, and what she desires is not a spiritual relationship with her Lord, but a physical relationship. Her longing spills out from every pore of her body, she yearns for Him, she wants to press Him to her breasts and merge with Him. She spends her days and nights dreaming of Him, and praying to Kamdeval to give Him to her.
Kodhai is also a woman conscious of the 'cruel laws and cultural mores' that restrict the freedom of women. "Some women have wider cages than others . Yet I felt my boundaries all the time", she says, even as she pushes the boundaries of what a woman of her caste and century can do. Born in the 9th century, she could have been speaking for the woman of today.
It is a short read which ended before I wanted it to. I was almost tempted to flip it over and start yet again.