ABSTRACT
Writing primarily by women has always been a niche genre the world over, and the story is not much different across South Asia. Though almost marginal and very often lost in time, it is the writings by several women across the region which help not only to highlight a different genre of literature but also to render a different perspective of socio-cultural, religious and political topics – one which might have been shrouded in anonymity or often remain in ignorance. This chapter focuses on the very first attempts at published English work by women across the SAARC region and includes Toru Dutta from India, Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain from Bangladesh, Rosalind Mendis from Sri Lanka, Zaib-un-Nissa from Pakistan and Kunzang Choden from Bhutan.
