Unfolding Hope: The Emergence of Strong Female Protagonist by Contemporary Indian Women Authors

The literary world is trending a new era of strong female protagonists by women authors mirroring the contemporary Indian woman. Even, the romance genre is witnessing a new approach to female protagonist where she does not wait for her prince charming instead finds her inner self and the true meaning of self-love. We have selected three novels written by contemporary Indian authors that voice a courageous, determined new Indian woman.

Under The Mango Tree by Bina Pillai, is set in an abusive marriage and chronicles protagonist Diya’s strenuous journey from her teens to her sixties. The book explores the inner strength of a woman, as she fights hard to keep her spirit intact through it all. It is a book of grit, positivity, and self-actualization.

Bina explains the idea behind writing the book, “I want to give them the strength to break stereotypes and patriarchy. It’s time we changed our society.” Her protagonist Diya is in love with life, passionate and hard-working. She believes in positivity and finds ways to keep her smile intact. She doesn’t give up on life. She is courageous to live her life on her terms.

Diya sends a strong message to all the young girls of the present generation. She believes patriarchy rules everywhere even today. Instead of giving up on life, she wants women to have a mind of their own.

Raashi Ghoshal Will Find Her Prince Charming by Aniesha Brahma is the story of the titular character who imagined that fairy tales are real and believe that all her problems will be solved the minute she finds her Prince Charming. But as she tries to look for this elusive happily ever after, she discovers that life is more about finding love and finding someone to share it with.

Aniesha Brahma describes Raashi, “A woman in her late twenties, who has been constantly told that no matter what she does, she’s still unsuccessful until she finds someone to settle down with. It was a way of exploring what happens if you don’t want that for yourself and want to explore other opportunities that life has for you.”

Her protagonist Raashi decides to lead a life different from the life plan she subconsciously formed. She inspires contemporary women to chase whatever dreams they truly want to chase.

Stars from the Borderless Sea by Dr. Shalini Mullick is a collection of three non-linked novella-length stories, each of which has a strong, mature woman protagonist at its center. All the women have overcome tremendous adversity and challenges over the years and have emerged stronger.

Dr. Mullick explains the idea behind this book, “I received my medical education from Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi, which is a women’s college. Later in life also during my training and work, I often found myself in organizations where the women often outnumbered the men. This gave me a window into the unique challenges and circumstances that women face. Empathizing with these, I began to weave them into my writing.”

The three protagonists in her book are determined, strong, and successful. All of them have faced adversity in their personal or professional lives, rather than succumbing to the choices that fate makes for them, they have gathered the courage to take bold, unconventional decisions and live life on their terms.