Rama's Labyrinth: A Biographical Novel (Women of Determination and Courage)

Srinivas arched an eyebrow. “This life doesn’t matter.”

“It does. It matters very much. Srinivas, in our travels how often have we listened to men beating their wives? We’ve seen women working like beasts of burden. Father believed women have a duty to be educated. He proved it to the priests. He taught us.”

“So he did, Rama. But I don’t see your point. It’s not our task to change generations of custom. Men won’t change just because we say they should. Besides, how does your idea bring more listeners?”

“People will come to see what they’ve never seen, a woman who recites. I prove women have value.”