Women lead social reform in colonial Andhra Pradesh
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In colonial Andhra Pradesh, India, women increasingly participated in and then led social reform movements beginning in the late 19th century.
Initially, women supported the reform efforts of their husbands, fathers, and brothers. Kandukuri Rajyalakshmamma, married to reformer Veeresalingam, actively aided his work on widow remarriage, even donating 40,000 rupees to his Hitakarini Samajam and establishing a women’s Prarthana Samaj. As women gained confidence, they began to critique male dominance and address issues directly affecting them.
Reformer couples like Lakshminarayana and Lakshmibayamma Unnava, and Chenchaiah and Annapoornamma Darishi, worked together to challenge traditional norms. Annapoornamma Darishi, a prominent intellectual activist, helped perform 18 widow remarriages and represented Andhra women at the 1929 All India Women’s Conference. Throughout the 20th century, women established schools, widow homes, and associations. Yamini Poornatilakamma founded the Kalavantula Samskarana Sangham to reform the kalavantulu community, women who traditionally performed in temples, and helped 350 women renounce that profession and pursue education.
Women also provided financial support to reform movements, and increasingly prioritized their own agency and independence in driving change. Bhandaru Atchamamba, a scholar and activist, authored a book highlighting the achievements of historical and contemporary women to inspire her contemporaries.
