Savitribai Phule

Savitribai Phule

News: January 3, 2024, marks the 193rd birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule.

Background:
 She was a pioneer who challenged oppressive social norms in her quest for women’s education, equality and justice. She is formally recognized as India’s first woman teacher.

Who was Savitribai Phule?
• A Dalit woman from the Mali community, Savitribai was born on January 3, 1831, in Maharashtra’s Naigaon village. Her husband Jyotirao Phule is said to have educated her at home.
• Later, Jyotirao admitted Savitribai to a teachers’ training institution in Pune. Throughout their life, the couple supported each other and in doing so, broke many social barriers.
• At a time when it was considered unacceptable for women to even attain education, the couple went on to open a school for girls in
Bhidewada, Pune, in 1848. This became the country’s first girls’ school.

Her role as a social reformer:
• Along with Jyotirao, Savitribai started the Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha (‘Home for the Prevention of Infanticide’) for pregnant widows facing discrimination.
• She also advocated inter-caste marriages, widow remarriage, and eradication of child marriage, sati and dowry systems, among other social issues.
• In 1873, the Phules set up the Satyashodhak Samaj (‘Truth-seekers’ society’), a platform open to all, irrespective of their caste, religion or class hierarchies, with the sole aim of bringing social equity.
• Together they introduced the ‘Satyashodhak Marriage,’ which rejected Brahmanical rituals. In this ceremony, the marrying couple pledged to advocate for education and equality.
• At her husband’s funeral procession, Savitribai again defied convention and carried the titve (earthen pot). Walking ahead of the procession, Savitribai was the one who consigned his body to the flames, a ritual which is still predominantly carried out by men.

Her literary works:
• Savitribai Phule published her first collection of poems, called Kavya Phule (‘Poetry’s Blossoms’), at the age of 23 in 1854.
• She published Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar (‘The Ocean of Pure Gems’), in 1892.
• Besides these works, Matushri Savitribai Phlenchi Bhashane va Gaani (S’avitribai Phule’s speeches and songs’), and her letters to her husband have also been published.