Meet Muthu Master Who Guised Herself As A Man For Three Decades To Raise Daughter

Playing a mother's role is the most difficult among all the roles a woman plays in her lifetime. But then there are mothers who also raise their kids single-handedly without their partners' support. But the story of Muthu Master will completely shock you. This mother hailing from Tamil Nadu’s Toothukodi or Tuticorin district has raised her daughter alone and under the guise of a man for over three decades since her husband passed away.

Why Muthu Master guised herself

Pechiyammal or Muthu Master was only 20-years-old when she lost her husband to a heart attack just 15 days after her wedding. Post that, she gave birth to a baby girl but finding a house was a challenge. She tried to find work but faced harassment. She finally settled in Katunayakkanpatti.

In a bid to look like a man and avoid facing harassment, she changed her name, cropped her hair, and started wearing a lungi and shirt so that she could raise her daughter. The other option was to remarry but she chose to live her life independently.

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The next challenge for her was to earn a livelihood to raise her daughter. She picked up many odd jobs which are traditionally said to be done by men. The 57-year-old has worked at a tea and parotta shop also.

In an interview, she said: “I did all kinds of jobs, from working as painter, tea master, parotta master to 100-day work. I saved every penny to ensure a secured life for my daughter. After days, Muthu turned to be my identity, which in turn was mentioned on all documents, including Aadhaar, Voter ID, and bank account.”

Challenges she is facing now

Muthu has been working for three decades. It is no longer easy for her to keep working as her body is giving up gradually. She wanted to apply for Tamil Nadu’s Widow Pension Scheme to avail of limited financial assistance but she is not able to. She does not have her husband’s death certificate which is adding to her woes. Besides that, she has a male name on her Aadhar card. She is now struggling to achieve what she wants to.