Dalit Movements in Malabar

DALIT MOVEMENTS IN MALABAR The victims of caste system were Dalits who were exploited for centuries in India. Dalit movements are social movements which work collectively against caste discriminations. There were many such movements in Kerala and India. After explaining about caste system, the book briefly deals with some social reformers in South Kerala, who fought against caste oppression. It focuses on Dalit movements in Malabar organized against untouchability. The book also deals with Dalit identity politics and various Dalit organizations in Malabar based on this ideology. It mentions the role of Communist Party in organizing Dalit agricultural workers, thus indirectly working against caste discriminations. 'Theyyam', the most popular religious folk dance of Malabar is dealt with as a symbolic protest against caste. Based on the study, some pertinent proposals are given for the empowerment of Dalit organizations and Dalits. Mathew Aerthayil, a Jesuit priest, is the Director of Samskriti, an Institute of Socio-cultural Research and Action, at Pariyaram in Kannur District, Kerala. Pie is the former Director of Indian Social Institute, Bangalore and Socio-Religious Centre, Kozhikode. As an activist, he was deeply involved in the fishworkers' movement in Kerala for about 12 years. He did his Ph.D from Pune University on the topic of fishworkers' movement in Kerala. Pie writes regularly in English and Malayalam journals. He has published six books in English and Malayalam together. Contents List of Tables Abbreviations Glossary Preface 1. Issues and Methodology 2. Historical, Political and Cultural Background of Malabar 3. Caste System and Dalits 4. Social Reform Movements against Caste Discriminations in South Kerala 5. Activities Organised against Caste Discriminations in Malabar 6. Organisational Activities of Dalit Christians in Malabar against Caste Discriminations 7. Dalit Identity Politics and Dalit Organisations in Malabar 8. Proposals and Suggestions to empower Dalit Organisations Conclusion Bibliography Index