Nivedita Louis
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Nivedita Louis | |
|---|---|
 Nivedita Louis | |
| Born | July 5, 1978 Ambasamudram, Tirunelveli, India |
| Occupation | Author · Feminist Historian · Social Activist · Editor |
| Language | Tamil |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Bachelor of commerce · Master of Business Administration |
| Alma mater | Madras University · Bharathiar University |
| Genre | Non-Fiction · Biography · Essays |
| Subject | Society · Archaeology · History · Women's history |
| Notable awards | Tha Mu E Ka Sa Thozhar Kae Muthaiah virudhu · Puthumaipiththan Padaippilakkiya Viruthu |
| Years active | 2010-present |
| Spouse | Louis Irudayadasan |
| Children | Lionel Leina |
| Relatives | Davis Angel Queen-Jayaseelan Savarimuthu (Parents) |
| Website | |
| Her Stories | |
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Nivedita Louis (Tamil: நிவேதிதா லூயிஸ்; born 5 July 1978) is an Indian author, researcher, feminist historian, and social activist. Louis is the co-founder and editor of Her Stories, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing women's empowerment.[1]
Louis has established herself in the literary world, particularly through her non-fiction works that delve into various subjects, including local history, archaeology, and women's history. Notable works by Louis include "Vadachennai: varalarum vazhviyalum," "Mudhal Pengal," and "Pathai Amaithavargal."[2]
Nivedita actively engages in social activism. Her dedication to promoting women's rights and empowerment extends beyond her writing and delve into various initiatives and advocacy efforts. Through Her Stories, Louis and her team work to address gender-based inequalities, empower women economically and socially, and foster a more inclusive society.[3]
Education and early career[edit]
Nivedita completed her schooling at AVRmV Matriculation School in Ambasamudram and later attended SBOA School and Junior College in Chennai. Nivedita's passion for writing emerged during her school days. Her first published work was a poem featured in the SBOA school souvenir.
It was through social media that Nivedita's talent first caught the attention of the editor of Kungumam Thozhi, a Tamil magazine catering to women's interests. One of her Facebook posts resonated deeply with the editor, leading to its publication as an article titled "சமூக ஊடகங்களால் தொல்லையா, சமாளிக்க 20 வழிகள்" (Transl: "Overcoming Trouble in Social media: 20 Strategies") in Kungumam Thozhi. This marked her debut as a published writer.[4]
Following the success of her first article, Nivedita embarked on writing about various social issues. Concurrently, she developed a strong interest in heritage trips and walks, fully immersing herself in the vibrant local culture. This newfound fascination eventually inspired her to write books focused on history.[5]
Career[edit]
Writing career[edit]
"Mudhal Pengal" is Nivedita's first published book which was initially released as a series in the Tamil magazine Aval Vikatan, the book was later published by Prema Revathi, the editor of Maithri Feminist publication.[6]
During the period of writing "Mudhal Pengal," Nivedita received an proposal from Marudhan and Badri Seshadri of Kizhakku Pathippagam requesting her to write a book on archaeology for their publication.[7] Inspired by Balakrishnan IAS and his pot route, Nivedita conducted extensive research and penned the book "Adichanallur Muthal Keezhadi Varai." This book garnered positive acclaim, paving the way for her next project, commissioned once again by Kizhakku Pathippagam.[8]
Drawing inspiration from her more than three years of experience working in North Madras, Nivedita decided to write a non-fiction book titled "VadaChennai: Varalarum Vazhviyalum."[9] This work was a blend of non-fiction, history, anthropology, and travelogue, capturing her experiences and the local culture. The book was well-received, earning Nivedita two prestigious awards: Tha Mu E Ka Sa Thozhar Kae Muthaiah Virudhu and the Puthumaipiththan Padaippilakkiya Viruthu.[10]
In parallel to her literary endeavors, Nivedita embarked on a journey to Bhutan with a friend. She wrote a series of articles about it in the Minnambalam site and these articles were compiled into an ebook titled "Magizhchiyin Desam."[11]
The year 2020 presented unique challenges due to the COVID-19 lockdown. However, it provided Nivedita with an opportunity to focus on her writing. During this period, she penned "Sindhuveli Nagarigam Kandupidikkappatta Kathai," a book that explores the discovery of the Indus civilization.[12] Additionally, she began working on her long-term dream project, "Ariyappadatha Christhavam."[13] This ambitious project involved one and a half years of field visits, extensive research, and interviews.[14] Eventually, Nivedita's magnum opus, "Ariyappadatha Christhavam," a two-volume ethnographic study of Tamil Christians spanning 1272 pages, was published by Kizhakku Pathippagam.[15]
Nivedita's subsequent works, "Ammakannuvukku Neelanai Pidikkathu" (a collection of essays on people and practices) and "Kalaga Puthagam," were also publication under Kizhakku Pathippagam.[16]
Her latest book, "Paathai Amaithavargal - Muthal Pengal 2," was published under her own flagship publication, "Her Stories." This book continues the exploration of the lives and experiences of women, following the themes introduced in her earlier work, "Mudhal Pengal."[2]
Heritage walks[edit]
Under Venkatesh Ramakrishnan's mentorship, Nivedita curated her first heritage walk along Greenways road, which proved to be a resounding success. Encouraged by this initial success, she went on to organize approximately ten more heritage walks and rides, exploring unchartered territories.[17]
Further Nivedita ventured into organizing bike rides in Poonamallee, providing participants with a unique opportunity to experience the historical and cultural significance of this region through an engaging journey.[18]
Nivedita caught the eye of Kavitha Ramu, who presented her with a remarkable opportunity to curate the "Iyal Isai Museum walk" at the Government Museum of Madras.[19]
Recognizing Nivedita's expertise and enthusiasm, renowned historian Vidya Dehejia from the United States extended an invitation for a walk and discussion on musical instruments.[20]
With the support of Vallidasan, Nivedita gave her first lecture titled "Wonder Women of Madras." This lecture was based on a series she had started writing for Aval Vikatan, a popular Tamil magazine for women. The talk received a positive response, inspiring Nivedita to conduct more lectures and impromptu walks across the city.[21]
Nivedita's efforts in curating heritage walks and rides, collaborating with experts, and delivering insightful lectures have significantly contributed to documenting and showcasing Chennai's cultural heritage.[22]
Her stories initiative[edit]
Her Stories is a feminist-centric non-profit organization that originated as a Facebook page during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.[23] Founded by Nivedita, Vallidasan, and Sahana, the page aimed to create a virtual platform where women from diverse backgrounds could freely express themselves within social spheres. The initiative quickly gained traction and amassed a significant following on social media, prompting its expansion into a dedicated website in 2021.[24]
By the year 2022, Her Stories had made notable strides, publishing seven books and solidifying its position as a leading platform for empowering women in Tamil Nadu.[25] Her Stories actively invites women from all walks of life, including established authors and aspiring writers, to contribute articles and share their stories on the platform.[26]
At present, Her Stories boasts an collection of 27 published titles and over 500 essays. The organization continues to grow with a social media following exceeding 10,000 individuals who engage with its content and contribute to its vibrant community.[27]
Works[edit]
- Muthal Pengal
- Adhichanallur Muthal Keezhadi Varai
- Magizhchchiyin Thesam
- Sindhusamaveli Nagarigam Kandupidikkappatta Kathai
- Vadachennai Varalarum Vazhviyalum
- Ariyappadatha Christhavam
- Ammakannuvukku Neelanai Pidikkathu
- Kalaga Puthagam
- Paathai Amaithavargal
Awards[edit]
- Tha Mu E Ka Sa Thozhar Kae Muthaiah virudhu (cash award of Rs. 10,000/- and citation)
- Puthumaipiththan Padaippilakkiya Viruthu by SRM Thamizh Peraayam (cash award of Rs.1,00,000/- and citation)
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Celebrating The Wonder Women Of Madras Who Fought Patriarchy". femina.in. Femina.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Padmanabhan, Geeta (25 July 2018). "Women changemakers of Madras". The Hindu.
- ↑ "Nivedita Louis".
- ↑ "முதல் பெண்கள்". Goodreads.
- ↑ "A date with history". The New Indian Express.
- ↑ "Filtered representations". The New Indian Express.
- ↑ "Tamil Heritage Trust தமிழ்ப் பாரம்பரிய அறக்கட்டளை".
- ↑ "The Pot Route: from Indus to Vaigai | Dr.R.Balakrishnan IAS speech".
- ↑ "🔴நேரலை: SRM தமிழ்ப்பேராய விருதுகள் விழா 2022 | SRM | TamilAwards".
- ↑ Sankar, Sindhu Priyadharsini (31 March 2021). "வடசென்னை: வரலாறும் வாழ்வியலும்". Women's Web Tamil.
- ↑ "Minnambalam".
- ↑ "Nivedita Louis speech | எழுக சிந்து - சிந்து முதல் வைகை வரை | நிவேதிதா லூயிஸ்".
- ↑ "Christian music, Christian Tamil music, Christian keerthanais and Kutchery: All with "Thomas myth", the way, Nivedita Louis spreads it!". Indology. 6 July 2020.
- ↑ "Collector gifts book on Christianity's history in Tamil Nadu to CM MK Stalin, BJP cries foul". The New Indian Express.
- ↑ "Pudukkottai Collector gifts book on Christianity's history to CM Stalin, BJP cries foul". The New Indian Express.
- ↑ Nath, Sayantani (28 September 2019). "Meena Narayanan: She Broke Barriers to Become India's First Woman Sound Engineer!". The Better India.
- ↑ B.A, Pon Vasanth (30 August 2020). "Nivedita Louis on how Chennai's documented history lacks voices of women and oppressed communities | The Madras Week Podcast". The Hindu.
- ↑ "Exploring Poonamallee: Bringing alive the fascinating history of this TN town". The News Minute. 29 April 2018.
- ↑ Nath, Parshathy J. (14 February 2018). "A peek into Chennai's Iyal Isai Museum". The Hindu.
- ↑ James, Merin. "Lecture to trace links between Christianity and Tamil music". DT next.
- ↑ "'Wonder women of Madras should be given more credit'". DT next.
- ↑ "Three English women who shaped colonial Madras". The New Indian Express.
- ↑ "பெண்களுக்கான உரிமை எப்படி இருக்க வேண்டும்? விளக்குகிறார் எழுத்தாளர் நிவேதிதா லூயிஸ்". HerZindagi Tamil (in தமிழ்). 10 April 2023.
- ↑ "Why tribal school girls in TN flung dupattas in the air to welcome a feminist writer". The News Minute. 22 March 2023.
- ↑ "Foreign Women and Madras: A presentation by Nivedita Louis".
- ↑ B.A, Pon Vasanth (30 August 2020). "Nivedita Louis on how Chennai's documented history lacks voices of women and oppressed communities | The Madras Week Podcast". The Hindu.
- ↑ Ganesh, Sanjana (30 March 2023). "A book by Tamil publishing house Her Stories is behind the viral video of school children throwing their dupattas". The Hindu.
External links[edit]
- Wonder women of Madras Lecture
- News7 Interview
- தமிழிசையில் கிறிஸ்துவம்
- Mylapore Heritage Walk
- Her Stories Publication
- "அறியப்படாத கிறிஸ்தவம்" நூல் வெளியீட்டு விழா
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