There was no place for formality at ‘Ottayalkoottam’, a get-together of some of the lone warriors from the socio-political spheres of the State. They sat on mats in a rough circle and discussed the future of feminist politics and formulated strategies to take it to the needy.
Among them were J. Devika, K. Ajitha, Dalit activist Rekha Raj; Gomathy Augustine, one of the founding members of Pengal Otrumai that fought for the rights of tea plantation workers in Munnar; Saranya Mol who fought with patriarchal figures on a television channel, and Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha leader M. Geethanandan. And, there was consensus on the need for a political platform for women to fight for their rights.
Ottayalkoottam was organised by Kozhikode-based women’s group ‘Penkoottu’, known for its protests like the one demanding toilets by women workers on S.M. Street here back in 2010 and the more recent agitation by women working in textile shops for their ‘right to sit’. Penkoottu believes that a political platform was the only solution to the deep-rooted problems facing women.
Web channel launched
On Saturday, Penkoottu added another milestone in its history by launching a web channel run by Penkoottu Media Collective.
“The channel will be a medium to create awareness on different types of feminism and the many issues of minority political streams that go unnoticed by mainstream media,” said P. Viji, secretary of Penkoottu.
The channel was founded based on the realisation that the intensity of gender inequality faced by women in various strata of society was different, and that it was closely connected to religion, caste, colour, environment, community, and gender diversity. ‘Marivil Hostel’, the first part of a comedy-fiction web series, was screened on the occasion. ‘Ottayal Pakshikal Kathaparayunnu’ (Tales of odd birds), a unique fusion of story telling and music was a major attraction of the evening.
