3 Generations of Women

Kalpana Karunakaran has a deep personal connection to Madras, now known as Chennai, a city that has been a place of freedom and home for the women in her family. Her grandmother, born in 1911, studied at Lady Willingdon School on Marina Beach, where she spent six precious years of her school life.

Kalpana's great-grandmother, born in 1897, also found solace in the city, where she lived for six years, experiencing the relative freedom of city life and the heady atmosphere of the Freedom Movement. This exposure had a profound impact on her life, allowing her to live apart from her husband and forge her own path.

Kalpana's mother, born in 1939, was an active organiser of factory workers and a familiar face during the massive May Day rallies in the 1970s and '80s. Her involvement in the labor movement was a testament to the city's spirit of activism and its role in shaping the lives of women like her.

## What it means to Kalpana For Kalpana, who grew up in Madras and has lived there all her life, the city holds a special place in her heart. She cherishes memories of cycling around her neighborhood, learning to navigate the busy streets, and singing along with hundreds of schoolkids to a song composed by renowned music director M.B. Srinivasan.

## Why it matters The city of Madras has played a significant role in the lives of the women in Kalpana's family, providing them with education, relative freedom, and opportunities for activism. Their stories are a testament to the city's enduring spirit and its ability to empower women to forge their own paths. As Kalpana reflects on her family's history, it is clear that Madras has been a place of transformation and growth, where women have found the freedom to pursue their dreams and make a lasting impact.