Mobile Girls Koottam - Working Women Speak

Mobile Girls Koottam is a humorous chronicle that explores contemporary media in the lives of Indian working women. It consists of transcripts from a radio podcast, bringing to life conversations between the five women and Madhumita and her interpreter, Sam. The book offers a unique and nuanced perspective on diverse topics like tea stalls for women, factory work, menstruation, and more, made lively through illustrations by Madhushree Basu.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 258 pages
Publication date: 17 May 2022
Publisher: Zubaan Books

In 2013, Madhumita Dutta embarked on a research journey to the Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. There, she encountered a group of remarkable women, Kalpana, Abhinaya, Satya, Lakshmi, and Pooja, who were all employed in an electronics factory. These women formed a close-knit community in their rented room, where they would regularly gather over the course of a year, sipping on tea, engaging in lively conversations, and creating a captivating radio podcast called "Mobile Girls Koottam."

Mobile Girls Koottam is a groundbreaking project that challenges conventional theorization and research methodologies. It provides a unique and intimate glimpse into the complex lives of young rural migrant women, allowing us to engage in a transformative process of learning and unlearning. Through the transcripts of the radio podcast, this book brings to life conversations between Madhumita and her interpreter, Sam. The group delves into their experiences as working-class women, discussing the nature of their work, their aspirations, and their perspectives, each offering a distinctive and nuanced viewpoint.

What ensues are lively, playful, angry, and thoughtful discussions on a wide range of topics, including tea stalls for women, factory life, menstruation, and much more. The conversations are further enriched by illustrations by Madhushree Basu, adding an artistic touch to the narratives.

Mobile Girls Koottam is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of women to articulate their experiences and perspectives. It challenges us to broaden our understanding of the lives of working-class women and to engage in a critical examination of our own privileges. This book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, activists, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of gender, class, and social inequality.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 208 x 138 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789390514458