Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

The life history and struggles of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay in the political, social and cultural arena have been already extensively described and commented in many books, articles and no less than four biographies. There is of course much more to learn about her, as about any great person, but the basic facts about her life have now been carefully winnowed out from the husks of hagiography. The events marking the centenary celebrations of her birth in 2003 provided ample opportunities to confirm the eulogious and tributes to the multifarious roles of Kamaladevi as champion of women's rights, political activist and patron-saint of Indian Arts and Crafts.

This new biography by Jasleen Dhamija offers an interesting and original look at Kamaldevi's itinerary from several viewpoints. In the first instance, the author's approach is based on the interpretation of established facts through the kaleidoscope of her long personal association with Kamaladevi. As Dhamija points out in her introduction, she was "one of the few persons who could keep pace with her" and certainly "one amongst the legion of people she shaped". Through a series of personal touches and reminiscences, Dhamija's portrayal of Kamaladevi is as real and vital a force as one can hope to find in the world of biography. Her recollections from conversations with Kamaladevi are particularly useful for an insight in the true personality of this passionate but introverted woman: "One of the women travelling with us was bold enough to ask her of her experience as a widow.

The last century saw dynamic changes not only in India, but the world over in terms of the geo-political and economic environment, as well as an upheaval of socio cultural moorings of societies. The struggle for freedom of the colonized half of the world and their emergence as sovereign nations, led to the emergence of new leadership, new concepts and ideas. It also gave greater power to women to participate in all aspects of life, to enrich their lives as well as contribute to the enrichment of society as a whole. Women emerged from the shadows finally.

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay was one such person, who emerged as an active participant in the political, socio-economic and cultural life of India. Hers is a story of courage to live in the world, to participate in it fully - to take up every challenge and meet it boldly.

Yet she paid a price for it; loneliness, frustration when she saw many of the institutions she built crumbling. I worked very closely with her from 1954 when she was Chairman of the All India Handicrafts Board (AIHB). I was one of the few persons, who could keep pace with her. Kamaladevi worked day and night, in her single minded effort to revive the cultural traditions, be it in the areas of crafts, of performing arts, of theatre or women's rights and bring them into the contemporary context. She studied the old ways of life recording many aspects, which were being lost. She was passionately involved in the movement for legislating equal rights for women, so that they could be equal partners in socio-economic and political spheres.

**Contents and Sample Pages**