Many young political activists also used the space to discuss issues of atrocities and discrimination faced by Dalits and the need to launch a national movement.
Disha Shaikh, a trans-rights activist and poet, at the festival. Credit: Namdeo Dhasal literature festival
Mumbai: “The first ever rally for the rights of the trans community and for prostituted women was not by any funded-NGO but by a maverick poet from Kamathipura. Even decades before our lives had managed to capture the mainstream’s imagination and political parties had thought of us as their vote banks, Naama had rallied for our most basic issue of survival… for our rationing card,” announced Disha Shaikh, a trans-rights activist and poet, standing on the stage set up for a day-long festival organised to celebrate Namdeo Dhasal’s contribution to the Ambedkarite movement in India on February 15.
For the rest of the day, young emerging artists, mostly belonging to Bahujan communities, used the platform to exhibit their work and recalled Dhasal’s contribution through their songs, paintings, poetry and acting.
Dhasal (February 15, 1949-January 15, 2014), who emerged from the wretched landscape of Mumbai’s red-light district Kamathipura had single-handedly changed the vocabulary of Indian literature through his poignant writings which he began in the 1970s and continued until his death. Dhasal wrote nine anthologies of poems and several prose writings, which included a novel.
But it was his first poetry collection Golpitha published in 1971 that shook the literary world, which was until then only a Brahmin bastion. He radicalised the face of Marathi poetry with his explosive verses that explored the experiences of the oppressed by breaking away from norms and oppressive writing tradition. Around the same time, in 1971, Dhasal along with other poets and political thinkers, founded ‘Dalit Panther’, a group modeled after America’s Black Panther movement.
Named after one of Dhasal’s critical prose ‘Sarva Kahi Samashtisathi’, the festival, in its third edition, was a unique take on the present political system. Most artists occupied the stage to speak of the abhorrent effects of the undying caste system in India. “Each of these performances, just like Dhasal’s writings are political. They speak of struggles and experiential journeys of the oppressed communities of this land,” explained Vaibhav Chayya, a poet and one of the organisers of the festival.
Rahul Pradhan, founder member of Yuva Panther, at the Namdeo Dhasal literature festival. Credit: Sukanya Shantha/The Wire
‘Samasthi’ which means gestalt, is often used to interpret the holistic state with ideal values of social justice, equality, freedom and fraternity in the society. “Ambedkarite poets have traditionally rebelled against existing elitist literature and social structure. And that comes at a serious cost. Dalit artists are denied mainstream spaces which are run and controlled by the brahminical mindset. This literature festival is an emancipatory platform and a counter to those oppressive structures,” Chayya explained. He along with several young Ambedkarites had first conceptualised this festival in 2016, two years after Dhasal succumbed to his prolonged illness in January 2014.
This year, the festival was organised at the JJ School of Arts in Mumbai. Over 500 people attended the festival. Renowned photographer Sudharak Olwe, director and actor Nagraj Manjule, and Sudam Rathod, writer and activist from Maharashtra, were felicitated.
“This space is exclusively meant to celebrate and remember our icons. Despite the unconducive environment, Dalit artists are flourishing and leaving their marks. Just like Dhasal, these artists drew sustenance from the situation that few would have survived,” said Dr Rewat Kaninde, the festival’s organiser.
The language of the festival, just like Dhasal’s poetry was distinctly different. The conversations revolved around the realities of a Dalit life and the struggles faced in the day to day existence. Majule, a poet himself, narrated an incident where he was “corrected” for his pronunciation when he once went to recite his poetry at the All India Radio. “You are constantly made to believe that the Brahmins way is a norm,” he said. “But you need to find a way out to retain your own unique voice.” His words were met with applause.
Many young political activists also used the space to discuss issues of atrocities and discrimination faced by Dalits and the need to launch a national movement. Speaking on the recent Bhima Koregaon violence, Rahul Pradhan, a young anti-caste activist from Nanded and a founder member of Yuva Panther said, “A systematic conspiracy is being hatched to finish the Dalit movement in the state. Post-Bhima Koregaon, several young emerging Dalit leaders have been booked under several cases. This is mainly done to finish the Dalit uprising in the state.” In the aftermath of Bhima Koregaon violence, Nanded police slapped four separate cases on Pradhan and he is at present facing an externment proceeding.
Urging the Bahujan masses to fight together, Pradhan said, “Academically, we are ensuring we take Babasaheb’s (Dr B.R. Ambedkar) legacy ahead, but politically, we fail him every day by supporting and aligning with political parties which have nothing to do with our community.”
Actors Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Rasika Agashe, Swara Bhaskar, Kiran Nagarkar and Rajshri Deshpande were also present at the event. The evening was set with each artist reading out Dhasal’s poems. Agashe also presented her adaptation of writer Rajesh Kumar’s play Sat Bhashe Raidas based on the life of the 15th century Bhakti saint Ravidas.