The Beating of the Drum
Chomana Dudi, also known as Choma’s Drum in English, is a masterpiece of Kannada literature and was written by Kota Shivarama Karanth. Although published in the 1950s, this story is still relevant today. Even in urban India, the institutional murder of Rohith Vemula speaks volumes about the harsh ground realities. This line from his suicide note resonates with Dalits everywhere: “My birth is my fatal accident.”
India is a country with a long history of caste-based discrimination. The social system is built upon a hierarchy of castes. Dalits, also known as untouchables, are a marginalized community in India that has faced discrimination and social exclusion for centuries. The caste system, which is deeply ingrained in Indian society, has perpetuated this discrimination by categorizing Dalits as the lowest rung of society. This system of segregation has created an environment of prejudice and inequality, where Dalits live in poverty and are discriminated against in access to education, employment, healthcare, and other social services.
B.R. Ambedkar’s Annihilation of Caste argues that caste is not only a social problem in India but also a moral problem. It asserts that the caste system is unjust and perpetuates inequality and discrimination. The protagonist of Choma’s Drum, Choma is a member of the ‘untouchable’ Mari caste, a lower social class that can only work as the village chief’s bonded labourer. Choma is doomed to failure from the very beginning of his story. He is repeatedly taken advantage of by the landlord, the estate manager and other people around him. He only finds some solace in Biruma’s toddy shop. Alcoholism is a common case with manual scavengers. Most Dalits resort to alcohol and domestic violence to cope with the physical and emotional toll of their work and the discrimination and stigma they face in society.
Ambedkar also criticizes Hinduism, the dominant religion in India, for its role in perpetuating the caste system. He argues that Hinduism, as it is practised, reinforces caste divisions and that the caste system is deeply ingrained in Hindu religious texts and traditions. He is considered low class by society, and his aspirations are unimportant to them. His dreams of owning a piece of land to till with his healthy bullocks will forever remain a dream. Although conversion to Christianity will gift him a piece of property, he is unwilling to forsake his Gods.
On the other hand, his son readily converts to Christianity for the girl he loves and is immediately offered a better chance at life in society than his father. Ambedkar argues that the only way to address the caste system is through the complete annihilation of caste, rather than attempting to reform it or make it more equitable. He concludes with a call to action for the eradication of caste and the establishment of a more just and equitable society in India. this will require not only political action but also a fundamental shift in social and cultural attitudes towards caste and discrimination.
Another aspect of Choma’s Drum is gender discrimination, a significant problem within Dalit communities in India. Dalit women face discrimination both as Dalits and as women. Belli, Choma’s daughter is exploited at the Estate. ‘A Travancore Tale’ of Nangeli tells the same story. The intersection of caste and gender discrimination creates a unique set of challenges for Dalit women, who are often excluded from mainstream feminist movements and Dalit movements that focus solely on caste-based discrimination.
Overall, Choma’s Drum is a powerful reminder of the deep-seated prejudice that is still pervasive in many parts of India, and how it affects the lives of those who are already marginalized and oppressed. Dalit literature is important because it provides representation, raises awareness, empowers Dalit communities, resists dominant discourses, and contributes to social justice and equality. Dalit literature emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as a form of resistance to the dominant Brahminical discourse in Indian literature, which largely ignored the experiences of Dalits. Dalit writers sought to challenge the dominant narratives and represent their own experiences, identities, and struggles. It serves as a call to action for those who still live in a world of caste-based discrimination, and it serves to remind us that we must all work together to create a more equitable society.
References:
1. Annihilation of Caste by B.R. Ambedkar
2. Chomana Dudi by Kota Shivarama Karanth
3. A Travancore Tale by Orijit Sen
4. Rohith Vemula’s letter