Homo Hierarchicus: The Caste System and Its Implications Before we get into Dumont’s analysis, let us briefly summarize the general features of the caste system. Basically, the system is based on the division of labor and hierarchy among different groups of people in India. These groups are hierarchically organized in a way where one group … Read more
Jai Bhim is an Indian Tamil language film (dubbed in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada) released on the 2nd of November, 2021. The film stars Saravanan Sivukumar (Suraiya) who plays the role of the then Advocate Chandru, and Lijomol Jose, K. Manikandan and various others. This legal drama, directed by T.J. Gnanavel, is based on a … Read more
Ethnology has witnessed various societies that have survived through the primitive and advanced times but is it just about survival or do the quality of survival matter? Caste defenders have always tried to glorify the Hindu heritage but did they question their ignorance behind unnatural discrimination with untouchables? Have Hindus ever tried to think why … Read more
Hindu society is defined and associated with various institutions and the caste system is regarded as one of the social institutions which have foundations of social and moral codes in the Hindu society. But there are many disparities in the understanding of caste in itself. Caste has been largely seen as a functional unit by … Read more
Synopsis: 5 films displaying caste dynamics and discriminations, an overview of their plots, a comment on their depiction of caste and the overwhelming critical reviews. Caste discrimination as depicted in Indian cinema Indian cinema, has, for decades, appropriated and/or erased the stories of Dalits. Their stories, when represented, were often told by upper caste men … Read more
The sickness of caste has plagued Indian society since the Vedic ages and continues to remain a source of unparalleled inhumane treatment of individuals based on their involuntary membership of a particular social group. Within the Indian context, caste has often been understood as a Dalit issue that is not inclusive of conversations about other … Read more
Who Were the Shudras?: B.R. Ambedkar aims to provide clarity on the origins of the Shudra class in the caste system in India through this book of his. It was initially published in 1946, a time when caste discrimination in society was rampant, and the lower castes continued to suffer immensely. He provides evidence from … Read more
