"One-Eyed" by Meena Kandasamy

Group Assignment on "One-Eyed" by Meena Kandasamy

Given by: Prakruti Ma’am

Group Members:

Leader: Nirali Vaghela

Members: Nikita Vala, Kumkum Hirani, Khushi Makwana, Krishna Baraiya , Tanvi Mehra

1.Which poem and questions were discussed by the group?

Our group discussed the poem “One-Eyed” by Meena Kandasamy, which powerfully portrays caste-based discrimination in Indian society through the experience of a young girl named Dhanam.

We discussed the following two questions as part of our assigned task:

Long Answer: What kind of treatment is given to the untouchables? Discuss with reference to the poem “One-Eyed.”

Short Answer: What does the “one-eyed” symbolize in the poem?

    1. Long Answer

Q: What kind of treatment is given to the untouchables? Discuss with reference to “One-Eyed” by Meena Kandasamy.

In Meena Kandasamy’s poem One-Eyed, the treatment of untouchables is shown as deeply cruel, inhumane, and unjust. Through a single incident  where a young girl named Dhanam dares to touch drinking water  the poet reveals the violent reaction of caste-based society. Instead of seeing a thirsty child, every authority figure responds with suspicion, judgment, or exploitation: the teacher punishes, the doctor objectifies, the school distances itself, and the media sensationalizes. This shows how untouchables are denied basic human rights and are constantly viewed through a lens of social hierarchy and power imbalance.

Our group discussed how Kandasamy exposes caste oppression by highlighting the lack of empathy in those in power. I (Nikita) and Khushi especially focused on how the poem shows political, institutional, and media bias, and how the poet uses strong images to show the dehumanization of Dalits. Krishna added how Meena Kandasamy’s personal experiences connect with this theme, as she herself belongs to a lower caste and uses poetry as a way to protest.

The poem tells us that being born into a marginalized caste means facing humiliation even for the most innocent acts, like drinking water — something so natural, yet violently punished in this context. The untouchables are treated as invisible until they 'break a rule', and then they are punished brutally.

      2. Short Answer

Q: What does the "One-Eyed" symbolize in the poem?

The “One-Eyed” symbolizes the price of untouchability  Dhanam’s left eye is damaged because she touched water meant for "higher caste" people. The image of one eye open, but the light "slapped away", represents how Dalits are allowed to exist, but not to live freely. It shows the violence and exclusion faced by lower caste individuals and how even basic survival actions are punished. The "one eye" also symbolizes partial vision  society's refusal to see the full humanity of people like Dhanam.

2.Was there any unique approach or technique used by your group to discuss the topic?

Yes, our group followed a collaborative discussion method. First, we ensured that everyone understood the poem. Since Tanvi was not familiar with it, Kumkum and Nirali explained the meaning and message of the poem to her.

After that, we moved into critical analysis. We did not just explain the poem but also connected it to Meena Kandasamy’s personal experience, her activism, and the larger issues of caste and gender in Indian society.

This mix of explanation + critical perspective made our discussion deeper and more meaningful.

3. Who led the discussion or contributed most? Did everyone contribute equally?

Our group leader was Nirali Vaghela, and she effectively guided the flow of the discussion.

Kumkum and Nirali helped others understand the basic meaning of the poem.

Khushi and I (Nikita) focused on the critical aspects, such as how Meena Kandasamy shows the power imbalance, social injustice, and media hypocrisy.

Krishna added important points about the poet’s personal connection to caste issues, which gave our discussion a more emotional and real-world depth.

Yes, everyone contributed to the discussion in their own way. Even though Tanvi didn’t know the poem at first, she became an active listener and asked questions, which helped the group clarify ideas.

4. Which points were easy and which ones were difficult for your group to understand?

      Easy Point:

The basic theme of the poem  untouchability and caste-based discrimination  was easy to understand for all of us. The visual and emotional impact of the lines made the message very clear.

      Difficult Point:

The most challenging part was understanding Meena Kandasamy’s personal connection to the poem and how her anger and activism are reflected through the symbolic use of the “one-eyed” image. It was difficult at first to understand how the poem is not just about one incident but represents a whole system of injustice.

Conclusion / Learning Outcome

Through this discussion, we realized how important it is to freely ask questions and support each other’s understanding. We learned to analyze poetry not just for its language but also for its social message. Everyone contributed ideas, and we gained confidence in discussing sensitive topics like caste discrimination. This group activity helped us grow both intellectually and emotionally.

Thank you.