The Painting in Progress

By Afnan

The book The Painting in Progress is the English translation of the Malayalam book titled Chithramithapoornam, written by Dr. Kadeeja Mumthaz.

The Painting in Progress explores vital socio-political and cultural issues, focusing on women's rights and feminism in various contexts. It envisions a feminist utopia where women thrive independen

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Apr 8, 2025
• ISBN: 9789370091948

Book preview

THE PAINTING IN PROGRESS

(Translation of the original Malayalam book titled Chithramithapoornam by                          Dr. Kadeeja Mumthaz)

Afnan

Edited by: Shiny Ajit

Ukiyoto Publishing

All global publishing rights are held by

Ukiyoto Publishing

Published in 2025

Content Copyright © Afnan

ISBN

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated, without the publisher’s prior consent, in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.

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Dedication

To the ones who are building their narratives to life, one brushstroke at a time.

Foreword

Utopia unlimited : In 1516, the English humanist Sir Thomas More authored a book titled Utopia, which explores the economic and social conditions of Europe. He wrote it in Latin, describing an imaginary island that represents the ideal conditions as anyone might wish for. The term utopia is derived from two Greek words: ou, meaning not, and topos, meaning place, thus signifying an imaginary and indefinitely remote place.

The author of The Painting in Progress, Dr. Kadeeja Mumthaz, consistently critiques malpractices, male chauvinism, exploitation, and the injustices faced by women. In a series of articles, she emphasizes the denial of possibilities for women throughout history. Her remarkable journey through the centuries compellingly highlights these issues.

The first chapter, focusing on the elusive dreams of a feminist utopia, recalls the influential feminist author Charlotte Perkins Gilman and her satirical work Herland. The author argues that society is unjust in its failure to allow women to reach their full potential, assigning them the unremunerated roles of childbearing and domestic labor. As French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir famously stated, One is not born, but rather becomes a woman. In Herland, three male explorers visit a feminist utopia, where they are compelled to re-examine their assumptions about women. Charlotte introduces a bold notion to exclude men from the process of reproduction. The author’s well-known short story, The Yellow Wallpaper, critiques male chauvinism and was even banned. The author, who suffered from postpartum depression, ultimately chose to commit suicide due to cancer, an act that can also be viewed as a bold decision by an independent woman who believed euthanasia to be a convenient escape for the terminally ill.

These chapters and references are intricately crafted and warrant detailed discussion, which I could expand into chapters. The history of Hindu imperialism reveals age-old practices that persist today. The general outlook reflects controversies that can be brutally apparent. In this society, skin color and attire often determine social status. The cherukilippennu, who is said to have brought seeds from heaven, may symbolize fertility; however, such beautiful surrealistic folklore stories are overshadowed by the exploitation of the ‘laboring body’ as a sexual body.

Female voices are often unsung and unheard by the male-dominated society, which tends to ignore the promiscuous practices of men while expecting women to remain pure. The author references several bold writers who have created relevant stories, such as Devi Mahathmyam and the folklore tale Kalliankat Neeli." There are also detailed chapters on the Mappila rebellion. Following the martyrdom of Tipu Sultan, Malabar came under British rule, which favored the landowners. The Muslim peasants, who suffered greatly, rebelled against their economic grievances.

Although women may not be prominently featured in historical narratives, the author notes various accounts of resistance that occurred in secrecy. She provides a thorough examination of both political and social developments. In her discussion of ‘Islam and women,’ the author highlights reforms that have been made, including the rights to ‘Mehr’ in marriage, inheritance rights, and the right to divorce. Many women, however, remain hesitant or afraid to break free from societal constraints, which hinders their upliftment.

The author also references the critical work of M.N. Karasseri on the Muslim community, drawing from an interview with Sri Tahir Muhammad. The deliberate misogynistic attitudes present in society must change as these age-old practices continue to perpetuate inequality.

The author explores female identity through the lens of sacred texts such as the Vedas, the Bible, the Quran, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata. Within these texts, there are distinct and powerful female characters, each subjected to varying interpretations by different authors. The evolving nature of society necessitates a re-examination of the depth and essence of these characters. However, the original portrayal of these women remains unique and irreplaceable. The paradox of savarna and avarna versions of the epics is compellingly depicted.

The controversial Manusmriti has faced widespread criticism for its perceived justification of the caste system and the oppression of lower castes and women. These laws were predominantly created by men, who were the only ones allowed education at the time. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar famously called for the burning of copies of the Manusmriti in 1927.

The author also discusses the Afghan Taliban, characterizing them as enemies of happiness. Malala's extraordinary courage and resilience in the face of adversity stands as a testament to the triumph of feminism.

As a doctor, the author provides detailed insights on topics such as surrogacy, the recognition of transgender individuals, and other medical challenges. Additionally, she shares her independent thoughts on Mahatma Gandhi, emphasizing that his ideas remain timeless and relevant.

Towards the end of the work, the author beautifully narrates the faith of Nabeesus, encapsulating it as This is women's Islam. This perspective resonates with the words of Jesus Christ, who faced criticism for breaking the Sabbath law by allowing his disciples to eat on the Sabbath and for healing the sick. He once told Rabbi Benjamin, I am the law of Moses, demonstrating his commitment to alleviating human suffering.

The text includes an interview that reveals the author's thoughts on various subjects. She paints a picture of a time and place where the Bible, Quran, and Bhagavad Gita are kept together in the same drawer. The pain of partition stemmed solely from arbitrary borders, and as the author observes the Earth turning on her phone, she notes that the blue planet has no borders.

As the articles conclude with a reflection on the intersection of science and spirituality, I envision a realistic utopia where all feminist dreams perfectly align.

I congratulate the author, Dr. Kadeeja Mumthaz, and the translator, Miss Afnan, for this brilliant work.

Briji K T

A person smiling for the camera Description automatically generated with medium confidence BRIJI.K.T is a bilingual writer and an artist. Her books are published by leading publishers like Poorna publishers, Saikatham publishers, Buddha books, Red Cherry books and by the ‘Institute for children’s literature’ Kerala Gov. In the art platform, she has conducted several exhibitions including in Bangalore Chithra Kala Parishath. Briji has won many awards, and the major ones include the Haven International Muse Award for Poetry, ‘Women Achievers Award’ in 2020,  ‘ONV Puraskaram’ by Malayala Bhasha Institute, Santhakumaran Thampi Award and ‘OV Vijayan Smaraka Puraskaram’.

Contents

1. Are you coming to the feminist utopia?

2. What binds Lisa and Maria together?

3. Islam and women

4. Against the commodification of motherhood

5. How much of the Khilafat is there in the Malabar rebellion?

6. Constructing the female identity through vedas and epics

7. Afghan women read Talibanism and Sufism

8. The tenacious and tender mother stone

9. The Painting In Progress

10. My Gandhi, the Gandhi of Indians

Interview :  Dr. Kadeeja Mumthaz and P.K. Bhagyalakshmi

About the translator

About the author

About the editor

ARE YOU COMING TO THE FEMINIST UTOPIA?

A

strange world inhabited only by women. I remember reading about it three years ago. It must have been located in some Mexican forest region. It is unknown how and why that world came to be, how long it had existed ,or what the motives behind it were. Perhaps, there might not be a world like that in absolute form. However, a writer has the liberty to imagine such a world. This was how Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s Her Land, penned in 1915 and banned for a long time for obscure reasons, became a feminist classic. It is incredibly relevant to our times as well.

The tribal population harboured the ancient belief that there existed a nation of women somewhere in the uncharted mountain ranges that were visible from the swamps in the interiors of the Mexican forests. A thought that is as terrifying as death. Perhaps, women who kill and eat humans could be living there. The tribal folks have a lot of evidence for such a land despite not visiting it themselves. They remained there for thousands of years.

Two thousand years? How is it possible? Maybe, they have imprisoned a few men whom they use for procreation alone. Or it could only be a matriarchal society. A place where a matriarchal social order exists. Nevertheless, it has to be a primitive society full of brutal and belligerent people. 

Enthralled by this story, three young American adventurers go in search of the feminist utopia. They are three different types of people. One is blessed with masculine beauty and takes immense pride in it. He is filthy rich and treats women as mere objects of consumption. Beyond that, women are worthless and jealous beings in his eyes. The second man, who is a poet and a doctor, worships women. A Victorian lover who would go running to help a woman could lift a flower basket. He sees women as delicate minds and bodies that require the protection of men. The third man is a sociologist. Even though he participates in the frivolity of youth with his friends, he could stand away and perform honest social analysis. It would be accurate to say that all these qualities are more or less present in the three men. They arrive at the borders of the feminist utopia with the ideological burdens of the modern male-constructed world and are stupefied by the world that they gradually see and experience. There are women of all ages brimming with confidence, physical endurance ,and beauty. Without the assistance of men, they have constructed and maintained modern roads, artistic edifices, parks, museums, gymnasiums, agricultural fields and carefully nurtured forest trees that were on par with the ones in the outside world and yet unique. The ethos of this society is sisterhood and its religion revolves around