Jain Journal 1996 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 17

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JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXX, No. 3. January 1996
got 1500 wooden chests for placing idols, 1500 gong and bells to ring while worshipping and freely distributed all these worshipping items.
Ranna, a Poet Laureate in the Chalukya court, has concentrated his poetic skill, highly balanced in its presentation, crystallizing the illustrious life of this extraordinary woman Attimabbe. Poet Ranna has so effectively portrayed her that it leaves an everlasting imprint on the minds of readers. This graphic description does not just place us in time or other accomplishments of Attimabbe, but by a series of incidents in chronological sequence, including her struggle and triumphs. Some of her accomplishments breathe life into unsung heroines and tireless women workers, whose contributions have often been overlooked in the chronicles of Indian history. Ranna, through the lustrious portrait of Attimabbe, tries to answer the much asked question of how and why women were held high in Society. In its sweep and depth of coverage, Ranna's depiction does more than justice to this indomitable woman, who stood over and above all men of great name and fame, who were her senior contemporaries. During her life time and later after her death, nearly 32 inscriptions have eulogised Attimabbe, and her virtues.
Ranna is one of the earliest of Kannada poets to recognise the feminist point of view and gives a woman her due place in history. He is not blind to the achievements of a widowed woman. Again, he is the first poet in the context of Kannada literature and in the history of Karnataka, to write an authentic biography of a woman celebrity, who played such a prominent role in the socio-religious and sociopolitical milieu of her time. Ranna deviates from the traditional, worn out path of just describing a woman from the aesthetic point of view. He is not concerned with physical beauty; on the other hand, Ranna is more interested in her attitude towards fellow beings. Epitomizing her lifetime achievements, Ranna vividly captures different articulations of sociological import, both sacred and secular. Obviously it turns out to be the first ever study to explore the sociological orientations Attimabbe's astonishing personality.
Attimabbe, and her brave life, has a unique voice in the increasingly important contemporary feminist global discussions. Her exemplary life will not only introduce feminists to an enriching set of theoretical perspectives, but set a high critical standard for feminist dialogues of the social status of widowed women as well, particularly at their early age. Attimabbe is not an escapist. Generally, most of the widowed women abscond, bolting away from facing the challenges of society. Attimabbe was not to be vanquished into the oblivion. She had the strength to sustain any onslaught under hostile circum
stances.