Reflections of Subaltern Status of Women in the Novels of Gita Hariharan, K.R. Meera and Meena Kandasamy

The present study examines the reflections of the subaltern status of women in the selected novels of Gita Hariharan, K. R. Meera, and Meena Kandasamy. Subaltern women, marginalized by intersecting forces of caste, class, gender, and socio-cultural hierarchies, often remain silenced within dominant patriarchal discourses. This research explores how contemporary Indian women writers articulate these silenced voices and transform them into narratives of resistance and agency. Using feminist theory, subaltern studies, and intersectionality as theoretical frameworks, the study undertakes a qualitative textual analysis of selected novels to examine themes of marginalization, oppression, silence, and empowerment. The research highlights how these writers challenge hegemonic structures through innovative narrative strategies, mythological subversion, and political engagement. By foregrounding women’s lived experiences, the study demonstrates the transformative role of literature in reclaiming subaltern identities and contributing to feminist and postcolonial literary discourse.