“Amma (the word) is a noun,” begins a Malayalam definition of the word, printed on a red and white digital poster. It has three definitions. Two of these read — "Snehathinte Nirakudam" (the epitome of love), “Kshamuyude paryayam, superwoman" (synonym of patience and superwoman). Right!
These definitions, however, have been cut by a strikethrough. The only meaning that stands out — uncut, boldly, almost gloatingly — is this line: "Mattullavare pole snehavum, sangadavum, deshyavum, ksheenavum, ellaamulloru saadarana sthree," translating to, “an ordinary woman like anyone else who experiences love, grief, anger and exhaustion.”
This beautiful message, simply demystifying the glorified definitions of a mother, was posted on Mother’s Day by the Department of Woman and Child Development (WCD) of the Kerala government. No surprise there. The WCD has been putting out admirable pro-women messages on its pages for the past few months. It had begun as a campaign called "Ini Illa Vittuveezcha" (No more compromise). Celebrities, singers and actors have all taken part in the campaign to spread positive progressive messages about women — boldly questioning the rules of patriarchy imposed on women to this day.
Under the Mother's Day poster, it says, "Instead of giving them the weight of expectations, one must remember mothers are also ordinary human beings, and accept them for what they are."
This definition of a mother got picked up widely, shared, loved and hailed. For some reason, there was little or no “tradition supporters” or “patriarchy soldiers” to fight it. The message is too simple and clear; it was in fact “bringing down” a superstar status of motherhood to that of an ordinary person. Who could call it arrogance of the modern woman?
Best Mother’s Day msg by WCD Kerala.
— Advaid അദ്വൈത് (@Advaidism) May 9, 2021
Mother is the embodiment of Love, the synonym of patience; a superwoman. ❌
She feels love, anger & pain like any normal person.✅
Rather than burdening mothers with expectations, acknowledge them as simple humans. Accept them as they are. pic.twitter.com/dl0DxI6Fw4
And the award for best #MothersDay message goes to Kerala Women and Child Development dept @shailajateacher @BPIAS #AnupamaTV pic.twitter.com/jMttmVPeh2
— Jisha Surya (@jishasurya) May 9, 2021
By evening, Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had been at the forefront in the gender-equality and renaissance talks of the government during the Sabarimala mayhem of 2018, also shared a similar message on his social media accounts. “The self-sacrificing mother is a much-glorified image. Often, this restricts women's freedom and self-sufficiency. The Left stands for equality that transcends gender. On this mother's day, let us welcome our mothers outside the confines of our homes into a wide world.”
The self sacrificing mother is a much glorified image. Often, this restricts women's freedom and self sufficiency. The Left stands for equality that transcends gender. On this mother's day, let us welcome our mothers outside the confines of our homes into a wide world. pic.twitter.com/3uSwc1L75e
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) May 9, 2021