Reshaping Narratives: Women’s Contribution to Today’s Marathi Literary World

Abstract

This article examines the transformative role of women writers in reshaping contemporary Marathi literature. It argues that their contributions have reconfigured the literary landscape through thematic innovation, generic experimentation, and critical intervention. The analysis traces the historical evolution from early social reformers to contemporary voices, highlighting how writers have foregrounded issues of gender, caste, identity, and autonomy. It explores their mastery across genres—poetry, fiction, autobiography, theatre, and criticism—demonstrating how formal choices serve as vehicles for social critique. Furthermore, the article investigates their impact on literary discourse, including the feminist re-reading of classics and the assertion of Dalit feminist perspectives. Despite persistent challenges, women writers have irrevocably expanded the Marathi literary canon, ensuring its continued relevance as a dynamic site of cultural and political engagement.