Essay On Lesbian Relation In Kerala

SITUATING KINSHIP: AN ANALYSIS OF LESBIAN RELATIONS IN KERALA

Recently I read a book on Lesbian Kinship in Kerala named, ‘Mithyakalkkapuram Swavarga Laimgikatha Keralathil’ (2004) which means ‘Beyond all illusions, same- sex relations in Kerala’, a collection of essays written about Lesbian relations and several controversies on the topic in the state of Kerala. The title of the book itself is an answer to the question of why lesbian/ gay relations are unsettling for a majority of people in Kerala. People there do believe that same-sex relations are like myths and illusions, it can never happen to people whom they are familiar with. This writing is an example of a great transformation in the attitude of the public, to discuss or to talk about

Is it a relationship of love and sex? The aim of this paper is to encounter these subjects, particularly in Kerala. This paper deals with ‘Lesbian kinship and suicides in Kerala’. How the lesbian kinship threatens the traditional order of Kerala society. How the society responds to same-sex relations. Why suicide is often the only solace for them to preserve affection and unite? These are few questions I am raising throughout this paper. This paper includes study on a Malayalam movie and some real life episodes in Kerala. ‘Desadanakkili Karayarilla’ directed by Padmarajan in 1986, is one of the Malayalam movie which brings out shades of ‘lesbian love’ and ‘womance’ (Hammarén, 2014, p. 6)through female camaraderie. The real life event discussed in this paper is largely based on the life of Meera and Ammini, a lesbian couple in Kerala, who committed suicide in the year 2003. Along with this, I have mentioned some other major instances that happened in Kerala. These major analyses are an attempt to showcase how the lesbian relationships are portrayed in Malayalam movies and literary works, also to look into their life in Kerala; how society is unaware of same-sex relations, how they are responding to this relations, and what are the reasons behind lesbian suicides. Futhermore, this paper encounter many other suicides committed by lesbian couples in

Sally is very stubborn, adamant in her views, she acts as a male supporting figure for Nirmala. Nirmala is very calm, docile, tranquil figure, who always desires love and protection from a male counterpart. Even though it is subtly portrayed, there are several similar gestures used within the movie that portray the nature of the two girls. After escaping from the school trip in order to change their identity Sally transforms her physical appearance by shortening her hair. Throughout the movie, Sally expresses an obstinate and resolute kind of behavior. Changing the physical appearance transforms her entire identity. Having a tomboyish nature is normally the stereotypical trait of one of the lesbian couple. Considering this movie and analyzing the other lesbian couples, the mostly noticed factor is the tomboyish trait visible in the physical appearance and attributes among one of the lesbian pair. Why they frame themselves as men? One reason can be the seeking of legitimacy within the social circle they live. Seeking legitimacy is an attempt to find relatedness along with heterosexual couples and to find a coherent sense of positioning in the family as well as society. Also, it is an act of taking the position or role of a male figure and forming a family structure. A power structure in relation is formed through this when one acts as a male supporting figure, and