R. Meenakshi settled in Auroville in 1976, and has been one of Auroville’s Tamil teachers, creators and mother figures ever since. She has fostered Auroville’s growth at every level, founding the Ilaignarkal Education Centre where underserved villagers and Aurovilians can complete or supplement their education. She has published Tamil poetry books, under the name of Madurai Magal, a few of which were translated to English. She has taught at the local schools for decades, and is currently still teaching classes at Ilaignarkal Education Centre. You can support Ilaignarkal Education Centre’s work below.
In her own words:
“I was a born poet! Before I could read or write I used to make up poems and recite and throw them around in my head. Ever since I have been in Auroville I have lived in this beautiful Nursery garden and I spontaneously write of the natural elements and the flowers and colours that surround me. I write only in Tamil and have one book that is bi-lingual: Marupayanam (“Another Journey”). I have completed eight books of poetry but my dream is to write a mature novel. It will be called something like “How my soul travelled” but so far I have only done the first chapter! Poetry flows easily for me, but the novel is a very different medium.”
We have compiled a page of resources about this remarkable poet, teacher and Auroville mother who is too little known outside those she serves. Scroll Down to see more ❤️
“I come from Virudhunagar near Madurai and did my BSC Home Science, then M.A in Social Work. I have always loved serving people so when I graduated I worked in city slums, rural communities and got a lot of experience in dealing with the under privileged.
I heard of Auroville when I discovered they were looking for a qualified volunteer who could be a link between Auroville and the local villages. I arrived here in 1976 on February 21st but was very surprised to find that there was nothing much here. There was only a huge pit in the centre of the land with steel bars sticking out, but when I met Ruud Lohman I was very inspired by him. I immediately knew I was in the right place. Everyone was extremely helpful, “Take this, take that” they all said and put me in the Matrimandir Camp. Also, the very first man I met in the worker’s camp was a very tall Dutch man called Toine. Two years later we married. We lived in the Matrimandir Nursery and have been there ever since.”
One can find Meenakshi’s readings on the Auroville Radio website under the Tamil Literary Forum heading, or search ‘Meenakshi’. She reads sacred verse in Tamil, and some of her own work.
Tamil Literary Forum ep. 15 – Readings from the Tirumantiram of Tirumular, Tamil Sacred Verse
Tamil Literary Forum ep.18 -A collection of Children’s Songs by Madurai Magal (Poetess R.Meenakshi)
One of R. Meenakshi’s Tamil Poetry books, Chittukkuruviyaip Pole (Tamil Modern Poetry).
For those who read Tamil Poetry, it is available on Exotic India Art website.