Lucknow: Women must speak about their experiences and question the social conditions that shape their lives, said feminist scholar and activist Prof Richa Nagar, granddaughter of literary veteran and filmmaker Amritlal Nagar, at a World Students’ Day programme at Avadh Girls’ Degree College on Thursday.The programme was organised jointly by the departments of geography and English of the college in collaboration with Parakh Theatre. A special screening of Tarun Kumar’s documentary film ‘Khari Nadi ke Kinaare, Mumtaz Begum ke Saath’ was held on the occasion. Mumtaz Begum, also known as Mumtaz Khala, was born to a tailor in Nainital. Chroniclers have described how she experienced the joys and sorrows of growing up without a mother and later chose to marry a bandman serving in PAC. She spent decades managing family life in and around Sitapur as a wife, daughter-in-law, mother and grandmother. The documentary, centred on the life and lived experiences of Mumtaz Begum and narrated in her voice, was both engaging and enlightening.The screening was followed by a panel discussion with Nagar, an alumna of the college and professor emeritus, University of Minnesota, along with Kumar, Prof Apurva Awasthi and Kausar Jahan, daughter of Mumtaz Begum.Mumtaz’s story also addresses gender discrimination, class barriers, changing local ecologies and the marginalisation faced by minorities due to politics. Her resilience extended to her craft: she trained in hosiery at UP Women’s Craft Centre in 1962 and her hand-knitted sweaters travelled as far as the US, said Nagar.Prof Nishi Pandey, president of the managing committee of the college, urged students to draw inspiration from Nagar’s exemplary journey of striving hard to achieve goals.Dean of studies Prof Upma Chaturvedi presented the vote of thanks. Among those present were AGDC principal Prof Bina Rai, Dean of students Prof Ranjana Krishna and Zarine Vicajee.
