In "Kadhiravan" (The Sun), for instance, the protagonist, a married woman, finds herself drawn to a younger man, leading to a complicated and intense IRAVU relationship. The narrative problematizes the notion of marital satisfaction and highlights the constraints placed on women's desires within traditional marriages.
Saroja Devi Kathaikal's works also engage with the politics of desire, interrogating the social and cultural factors that shape individual longings. Her stories often highlight the tension between personal desire and societal expectations, revealing the intricate power dynamics at play.
In "Thannir" (Water), the protagonist's IRAVU relationship with a man from a lower social caste serves as a catalyst for exploring the intersectionality of desire, caste, and power. The narrative underscores the ways in which social hierarchies regulate and control individual desires, particularly those of women.