For The Love Of Art : The Lost History Of Women In Kerala Theatre

For the Love of Art by Sajitha Madathil, translated into English by Jayasree Kalathil, examines the overlooked history of women in Kerala's Malayalam theatre tradition. Part of the Chronicles Series, this work of cultural history and feminist nonfiction focuses on the women whose participation, creativity, and contributions helped shape the development of theatre in Kerala.

Through historical research, records, personal narratives, and cultural analysis, the book brings attention to women whose roles have often received limited recognition in conventional accounts of Indian theatre. It considers their experiences within a performing-arts environment shaped by social restrictions and gender discrimination, while examining how their participation challenged established expectations.

About This Book

Sajitha Madathil explores the lives, struggles, achievements, and artistic contributions of women connected with Malayalam theatre. The book considers the roles played by women performers, playwrights, directors, and other theatre practitioners in the development of Kerala's theatrical culture.

The narrative places theatre within its wider social and cultural setting, examining the relationship between gender, artistic expression, and society. Women's involvement in performance is considered not only as a contribution to theatre but also in relation to questions of representation, recognition, and resistance to patriarchal structures.

The book also documents a history in which women's artistic legacies have frequently been overlooked. By bringing these stories into focus, it contributes to a broader understanding of Kerala theatre and the changing position of women within the performing arts.

What You'll Discover

• The overlooked contributions of women to Malayalam theatre.
• Stories of women performers, playwrights, directors, and theatre practitioners.
• The social barriers and gender discrimination faced by women in theatre.
• The relationship between artistic expression, gender, culture, and society.
• How women's participation challenged established patriarchal expectations.
• The politics of representation and recognition in the performing arts.
• Historical perspectives on Kerala's evolving theatrical tradition.

Perfect For

• Readers interested in Malayalam and Indian theatre.
• Students and readers exploring Kerala's cultural history.
• Those interested in women's history and gender studies.
• Readers of feminist nonfiction and cultural history.
• Readers interested in performing arts and Indian theatre history.

Why You'll Love This Book

For the Love of Art brings overlooked women's contributions into the history of Malayalam theatre, connecting individual artistic experiences with wider questions of gender, culture, representation, and recognition. Sajitha Madathil's research, presented in English translation by Jayasree Kalathil, offers readers a focused account of the women and social forces that shaped Kerala's theatrical tradition.