J. Devika

J. Devika Biography

J. Devika is a communist activist, social critic, and feminist from Kerala. She is also into teaching profession, who is currently employed at Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, where she carries research works too. She is currently an associate professor. She is also an author in English and Malayalam, and has translated a few books, mostly written by feminist writers favouring feminist ideology. Devika is also a social and political commentator. She writes on contemporary politics and culture in Kerala in a blog. Kulasthreeyum Chanthappennum Undayathengane is her noted work.

J. Devika studied Women's studies, Sociology and History as main subjects at Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She received first rank in BA History from University of Kerala, after which she moved to Delhi for her advanced studies. She later obtained her PhD in History from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. She published translations of writings by first-generation feminists in Kerala through her book, Her Self: Early Writings on Gender by Malayalee Women 1898-1938. Apart from research on feminist writers and social life of different periods, she also conducts research works on contemporary political and social issues. She also writes columns in different forms of publications.

Her book - Kulasthreeyum Chanthappennum Undaayathengine was published in year 2000. The book gives an alternative reading of Kerala history from the feminist perspective, and also traces Kerala's social and political history and providing interesting insights. Among her translations from Malayalam to English language, K. R. Meera’s Aarachaar, Nalini Jameela's autobiography, short stories of K R Meera and Sarah Joseph are the major works. She authored one book for children, which was published by Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishat.

Published: January 05, 2020

Updated: January 05, 2020