1 year ago

Poems Explore Warrior Queen Alli's Story in the Mahabharata

Poems Explore Warrior Queen Alli's Story in the Mahabharata
‘Our Alli has never needed a man’: Poems on the griefs inflicted on women in the Mahabharata · scroll.in

These poems tell stories from the Mahabharata about a warrior queen named Alli.

The poems show different people's feelings about Alli.

Some characters, like her parents and a beggar woman, admire her strength and independence.

They don't think she needs a man.

Others, like Arjuna, want to win her over.

The poems explore ideas about women, love, and how society sees people who are different.

Key facts

Main Character
Alli
Setting
Madurai
Source
Footnotes to the Mahabharata
Author
K Srilata
Central Theme
Griefs inflicted on women

Quotes

One Beggar Woman

A beggar woman on the streets of Madurai

“Listen, Mother, Pay no heed to wagging tongues.”
scroll.in
“Our Alli has a tender heart.”
scroll.in

Arjuna

A man who desires Alli

“Come what may, I must have Alli.”
scroll.in
“You know how it is with me and women I fancy.”
scroll.in

The Pandyan King

The king of the Pandyan kingdom

“But isn’t it thanks to her – more son than daughter – that we have our kingdom back?”
scroll.in
“You raised this daughter of ours to be a warrior and now she won’t look at a man,”
scroll.in

The Innkeeper

An innkeeper

“I am yet to meet a woman immune to my charms.”
scroll.in
“Stranger, you will soon be eating your words.”
scroll.in

Sources

Related news