கைம்மை நோன்பும் புறநானூற்றுச் சமூகச் சூழலும் / Kaimai Nombu and Social Situation in the Times of Purananooru

Kaimai Nombu (Fasting of loyalty) has been practised by Tamil women from Sangam times. A woman who has lost her husband dies because of the fear that she will be neglected in society. It is very difficult to perform Kaimai Nombu because it is a way of expressing grief to her husband and it is considered high after the death of her husband in Tamil society of Sangam Times. In Tamil society, strict restrictions have been imposed on women who observe the fast. The woman is deprived of everything that makes her fair. Whatever matters add beauty, happiness and pleasure to that woman is rejected and made to live without any interest in life. Due to the social setup in ancient times, women were also economically powerless. In ancient warrior societies, like Tamils, men were less numerous than women. So, there were more restrictions on women. Nowadays, when women are also educated and economically advanced, there is not much difference between male and female lives. Hence, widows are not subjugated in such a way the Kaimai Nombu does. The Indian Government after Independence has abolished many human rights-related issues for the sake of women. All of these have contributed to the development of women and the practice of Kaimai Nombu has decreased.