Salma (writer)

Salma
Chairperson of Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board
In office
2006–2011
Sarpanch of Ponnampatti Panchayat
In office
2001–2006
Personal details
Born
Rajathi Samsudeen

1968 (age 55–56)
Thuvarankurichi, Tamil Nadu
CitizenshipIndia
Political partyDravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Spouse
Malik
​
(before 1988)​
Children2
OccupationWriter and Political activist
AwardsMahakavi Kanhaiyalal Sethia Award (2019)

Rakkiaiah (alternatively Rokkiah, born Rajathi Samsudeen in 1968[1][2]) is an Indian Tamil writer, activist, and politician known by the pen name Salma and the nickname Rajathi,[3] and often referred to as Rajathi Salma.[4] Her works have received international acclaim and she is renowned as a sensation in contemporary Tamil literature.[1][4]

She is a member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and involved in women's and transgender rights activism.[5] Between 2007 and 2011, she served as the chairperson of the State Social Welfare Board of Tamil Nadu.[6] Salma is also the founder of a non-government women's rights organisation named "Your Hope is Remaining".[2]

  1. ^ a b Hussain, Sheikh Zakir (11 December 2013). "Salma: Writing the poetry of freedom". Two Circles. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b Nainar, Nahla (11 February 2019). "'Writing is an extremely political act'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  3. ^ Anandan, S. (25 July 2015). "Writer Salma eager to take another pen name". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  4. ^ a b Subramanian, Lakshmi (3 May 2015). "Songs of fortitude". The Week. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  5. ^ Sundaram, Kannan (6 May 2017). "With poetry and a pen name". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Salma | Author Profile". Speaking Tiger Books. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2020.