189. Birthday (Short Story No.3 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

BOOK REVIEW: Birthday (Short Story No.3 in Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam

Women discrimination has been around since time immemorial. In this age and era, feminists are fighting for the rights of women everywhere in the world, from educational rights to rights to an equal job as men. Aren’t women capable of becoming engineers and doctors other than just being meant to do household chores?

In the third short story in Marriage and Mutton Curry by none other than the creative Dato’ Dr. M. Shanmughalingam, gender discrimination that is very obvious in the Tamil community, including the Jaffna Tamils is clearly depicted in this funny narration.

The story unfolds with Mrs Santha Gnanapragasm trying to relate happy news of herself bearing his child. Mr Gnanapragasm who is engrossed in cricket doesn’t even bother to listen to what she has to say, engrossed in his world of cricket. It reveals that women of the household are seldom heard by their spouses as they are valuable merely for the chores they do in the house and for the responsibilities to family.

Another scene unfolds in the story when Mrs Santha was about to give birth. A conversation takes place between the relatives who have gathered to witness the birth. They bicker among themselves that a male heir should be born. Among their bickering, they also discuss about their children. Mrs Chelliah is disappointed with her daughter for taking up Arts. As they speak, they come upon the conclusion that Arts is for morons who cannot understand Science and Arts is a waste of time for boys.

To me, this portrays a strong sense of gender discrimination that made me rear my head in utter bewilderment. We Indian ladies may be soft at heart but that doesn’t mean we are utterly lacking in the mind department. Being entirely capable of wonders, we are able to prove that we are smarter and possess the same or even better qualities compared to the opposite sex.

When the baby is born, and the nurse mentions it’s a boy, everyone is caught up in a storm of joy and begin to relate the features of the boy to that of his mother. However, the funny catch here is....wait for it....there was a mix-up. The boy happens to be another’s child and Mrs Santha actually delivered a baby girl. This part caught me guffawing when all the relatives became pindrop silent after the news.

The relatives were commenting about the similarities in features just because they heard it was a son that was born. If it was a girl, they wouldn’t have even bothered in the least. Another painful aspect that is even seen till today is the aspect of dowry. In some cases, daughters are just given away for marriage because they seem to bothersome and are seen only as fit for marriage.

This is a mentality that should be nipped in the bud and through this short story, it has made me more keen on becoming a feminist to make others duly feel the rights of women should be looked after.

Based on my two previous reviews, I hope you have already felt an inkling to get your hands on this book by this great Malaysian author. If you still haven’t and this review has piqued your interest, then what are you waiting for! Hop on over to any good bookstore near you now for a copy of Marriage and Mutton Curry, you won’t be disappointed.