J. Devika – Activist, social critic, and feminist from Kerala

J. Devika is a writer, social critic, feminist, activist and associate professor from Kerala. She is currently an employee, associate professor and researcher at Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram. As a writer she is best known for her translation works in Malayalam and English, and she mostly chooses women authors and books which support feminism. Kulasthreeyum Chanthappennum Undayathengane published in year 2000 is her famous work, based on feminism.

J. Devika completed her higher studies from the prestigious JNU, where she specialized in Women’s studies, Sociology and History. Prior to it she received first rank in BA History from University of Kerala. She also holds PhD in History from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. Her Self: Early Writings on Gender by Malayalee Women 1898-1938 is one of her early works in feminism through which she translated some writings by first-generation feminists in Kerala. She is also fully engaged in her research works related to social status of women in different eras, contemporary political and social issues etc.

J. Devika – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. Apart from a writer and a social activist, Devika is a social and political commentator who frequently writes on contemporary politics and culture in Kerala in a blog. She is also a columnist.

2. Feminism is her most favourite subject when it comes to writings and her career as an activist.

3. She translated K. R. Meera’s Aarachaar, Nalini Jameela’s autobiography, and also a few short stories of K. R. Meera and Sarah Joseph to English.

4. She wrote a few children’s book for Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishat.

5. She endorses socialist democracy.