Lakshmi Nattarajan

A pioneering Indian feminist and educator who championed women's rights and education in 19th century Madras

Lakshmi Nattarajan (1815-1890) was a visionary social reformer from Tamil Nadu whose work laid the groundwork for modern Indian feminism. Born into a conservative Brahmin family during British colonial rule, she defied societal norms by pursuing education and later establishing India's first girls' school in 1845 at Vepery, Madras. Her Lakshmi Narayana Asramam not only provided girls with education in English and Tamil but also trained female teachers through its teacher training program. This institution became a model for future women's education initiatives across South India.

Nattarajan's advocacy extended beyond education to challenging widow remarriage taboos and female infanticide. She collaborated with reformers like Pandita Ramabai and Annie Besant, though maintained a distinct approach by focusing on grassroots community work rather than national politics. Her 1868 publication Women's Liberation Through Education remains a foundational text in Indian feminist history. Despite facing opposition from orthodox groups, her schools produced notable graduates including the first female headmistress of Madras' Queen Mary's School for Girls. Her legacy is preserved in the Lakshmi Nattarajan Memorial in Chennai and annual educational awards bearing her name.