From Mallar to Pallar and back. Ideology of Devendrakula Velalars

0562579 - OÚ 2023 eng A - Abstract
Hons, Pavel
From Mallar to Pallar and back. Ideology of Devendrakula Velalars.
[Dalit Politics at the Crossroads. Praha, 14.07.2022]
Method of presentation: Přednáška
Event organizer: Sociologický ústav AV ČR, Orientální ústav AV ČR
URL events: http://globalnikonflikty.cz/archives/3604 
Institutional support: RVO:68378009
Keywords : Dalit * Tamil Nadu * Devendrakula Velalar * identity
OECD category: Antropology, ethnology

Dalits have gradually developed different emancipation strategies during their struggle. While all of them fight against untouchability and discrimination, their argumentation about other issues may differ. Most of them have espoused ideas of Dalit leader Dr B. R. Ambedkar, for whom the utmost objective was eradication of caste. Moreover he openly rejected Hinduism and converted to Buddhism. Millions of Dalits followed his example and venerate him as a supreme leader till this day. Devendrakula Velalars are an exception to the rule. Instead of eradication of caste they seem to prefer to strengthen their caste identity and to move up the social ladder. They try to embed history of their community in the history of South India and to prove that the three famous Tamil dynasties, i.e., Pandyas, Cholas and Cheras, originated from amongst them. It was only after ascendency of the Telugu speaking Nayaks that their proud name Mallar was changed into derogatory Pallar, they were bereft of their land and turned into untouchables. Within the religious sphere they argue for their strong relationship with Shiva and several important temples, most significantly the Murugan temple at Palani. In short they are trying to prove that they used to be an important dignified community for which they are trying to find evidence in old manuscripts, temple inscriptions and other sources. The aim of the paper is to follow the intellectual journey of the main ideologues and intellectuals of this caste and to match their arguments with recent steps taken by their political representation.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0335994