Author and business leader R Seshasayee’s latest novel, “The Grammar of Silence: Five Centuries. Three Women. Towards Liberation”, explores the changing social and cultural landscape of Tamil history through the lives of three women and their struggles for voice, agency and freedom.
The novel, published by Rupa Publications, spans five centuries, moving from 17th-century Thanjavur to the Thanjavur Maratha court and eventually to modern India.
It follows Dharma, Vinodhini and Mary, whose lives unfold in different eras but are connected by their attempts to challenge patriarchal structures and claim a place for themselves in societies that seek to silence them.
“The uniqueness of this book is not merely that it highlights the varied manifestations of patriarchy over the centuries, but that it celebrates the struggles and the success of many women who paved the way for the future generations to follow,” the author said in a statement.
Through their stories, Seshasayee examines issues including child marriage, the exploitation of devadasis, caste-based discrimination, the struggles of Dalit women and the continued objectification of women in contemporary society.
The social and cultural history of Tamil Nadu, particularly the delta region around Thanjavur, is woven into the narrative, with customs, traditions and changing social structures forming the backdrop to the women’s journeys.
Seshasayee, a senior business leader, has served as Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Ashok Leyland, Chairman of Infosys and Chairman of IndusInd Bank, among other leadership positions. He is currently Chairman of Asian Paints. (PTI)