B 11

In a highly stratified Kerala society, women were doubly discriminated. They were not allowed to come out in public without male escort. Education was the last thing in their daily menu. However the missionaries wanted to impart education to the hapless women. But they had to abide by the social customs and as missionaries they did not want to topple the social systems immediately. For the willing girls, Mrs. Frances Baker and Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey imparted lesson in reading and writing. History tells us that girls were admitted in the CMS College in 1913 for a short period and then it resumed from 1938 till date.

Sabitha Kadannappalli understands the essence of this social issue and gives a symbolic visual representation to the hopes and aspirations of the girls in the society. At the courtyard of a comfortable residence, a woman in puff-sleeved blouse and a prominent hair bus is seen sitting and flying angelic figures to the firmament. Each angel has an alphabet with her and many more alphabets are seen floating in the air. The left hand of the woman is showing a direction- a hopeful future. Though it is not a portrait of Mrs.Baker or Mrs.Bailey, the metaphorical act says that the missionaries wanted the girls to have a great future and they did all what they could within the given social constraints.