Manada Debi l Autobiography of an Educated Prostitute l Ardhek Akash

Manada Debi (1900 - 1949? ) born in an affluent high caste family of Calcutta. Despite being the only child, that too a girl child, she was much loved by her parents, unusual in those days. She was admitted to school but at the age of 10 after the death of her mother she was taken out of school but continued her education at home. However she rejoined school after her father's remarriage. Her father, a high court lawyer was liberal so was not in favour of daughter's early marriage. So while she enjoyed her freedom to quite an extent, playing tennis or watching plays with her male tutor or distantly related male member, with who she later eloped , she was gradually getting drawn towards them. At 15, she eloped, having become pregnant and subsequently deserted. She had no other alternative but to become a prostitute when all the doors she turned to were closed, including her father's. In her autobiography that is dedicated to young boys, girls and social reformers, she analyses her life and cites the reasons that led to her choosing this livelihood. The book gives us a glimpse of the hypocritical society where on the one hand the who'swho of the society visited the brothels , the very same people distanced themselves in public to save their reputation. Manada laments that had she not been neglected by her father at a time when she needed attention the most she would not have gone astray. She gives up her profession and expressed her wish to donate her life savings to the cause of the needy. The book was published in 1929 despite ban attempts. The book has later been translated in English. Concept and Research: Sudeshna Basu Camera: Nupur Editing: Dip #bengal #19thcentury #19thcenturyhistory #ardhekakash #autobiography #calcutta #conservative #education #history #women #womenempowerment #theatre #prostitute #passion #elope #love #society #life #tragic #woman #independent #prostitution #explore