Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability - A Review and Analysis
Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability - A Graphic Novel that Challenges Caste Oppression in India
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be discriminated against based on your birth? Have you ever imagined how a person can overcome such discrimination and become a leader of millions? Have you ever witnessed how art can be a powerful tool to challenge injustice and inspire change?
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If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should read Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability, a graphic novel that tells the story of B.R. Ambedkar, a Dalit leader and the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, through his personal experiences of caste discrimination and his fight for social justice.
In this article, I will give you an overview of the graphic novel, its authors, illustrators, genre, subthemes and timeline. I will also analyze the artistic elements and techniques used in the graphic novel to depict the experiences of untouchability and resistance. And finally, I will critique how the graphic novel challenges caste oppression in India by exposing its roots, manifestations and consequences.
What is Bhimayana?
Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability is a graphic novel written by Srividya Natarajan and S. Anand and illustrated by Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam. It was published in 2011 by Navayana, an independent publisher that focuses on social justice issues.
The graphic novel belongs to the genre of historical biography and socio-politics. It explores the subthemes of continuing practice of caste based discrimination in India and the struggle against it by tracing it down to B.R. Ambedkar's life. The timeline of the story is largely set in India of 2010 while contextualizing it with historical events from 1891 to 1956.
The story starts with a conversation between an upper caste man and a Dalit woman. The man, who is in search for a new job, is sulking about reservations and that gets the woman started. Through the use of news articles about recent events, she makes him conscious of the ubiquity of caste based discrimination in India while simultaneously situating every such incident to the life of Babasaheb Ambedkar.
The book is divided into three major chapters: Water, Shelter and Travel. As any ordinary human being would, these are the things Ambedkar seeks in his life. As the young Bhim becomes conscious of his identity, the struggle for these basic needs translates into something bigger: the struggle for Equality.
Who is B.R. Ambedkar?
B.R. Ambedkar, also known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, was born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. He belonged to the Mahar caste, which was considered as untouchable by the Hindu society. He faced discrimination and humiliation throughout his life because of his caste identity.
Despite these hardships, he excelled in academics and became one of the most educated Indians of his time. He obtained degrees in economics, law and political science from prestigious universities in India, USA and UK. He also earned a doctorate in economics from Columbia University.
He was a prolific writer, thinker and activist who dedicated his life to the cause of social justice and human rights. He wrote extensively on various topics such as caste, religion, democracy, education, economics, law and constitution. Some of his famous works are Annihilation of Caste, The Buddha and His Dhamma, The Problem of the Rupee and The Untouchables.
He was also a political leader who founded several organizations and parties such as the Independent Labour Party, the Scheduled Castes Federation and the Republican Party of India. He participated in various movements and campaigns for securing equal rights and opportunities for Dalits and other oppressed sections of society.
He was also a constitutionalist who played a key role in drafting the Constitution of India as the chairman of the drafting committee. He is widely regarded as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, which is one of the most progressive and democratic constitutions in the world.
He was also a reformer who embraced Buddhism as a way of life and inspired millions of Dalits to follow him. He renounced Hinduism as a religion that perpetuated caste oppression and inequality. He propagated Buddhism as a religion that promoted rationality, morality and social harmony.
He died on 6 December 1956 in Delhi after suffering from various illnesses. He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honor in India, in 1990. He is revered as a national hero and a Dalit icon by millions of Indians who celebrate his birth anniversary as Ambedkar Jayanti every year.
Why is Bhimayana important?
Bhimayana is important because it is not just a graphic novel that tells the story of B.R. Ambedkar, but also a graphic novel that challenges caste oppression in India by exposing its roots, manifestations and consequences. It is a graphic novel that uses art to convey a powerful message of resistance and liberation. It is a graphic novel that is important for anyone who wants to understand the history, culture and politics of India and its marginalized communities.
How Bhimayana Uses Art to Convey a Powerful Message
One of the most striking features of Bhimayana is its art style. The graphic novel is illustrated by Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam, who belong to the Pardhan Gond community, a tribe of artists from central India. The Pardhan Gond style of art is an ancient and unique form of expression that has been passed down from generation to generation.
The Pardhan Gond Style
The Pardhan Gond style of art is characterized by its use of dots and lines to create intricate patterns and textures. The artists use natural materials such as charcoal, cow dung, lime stone powder, plant sap and leaves to create their paintings on walls, floors, paper and canvas. The artists also use bright colors such as red, yellow, green and blue to create contrast and vibrancy.
The Pardhan Gond style of art is inspired by the belief that everything in nature has a spirit and is sacred. The artists depict animals, plants, trees, hills, rivers, rocks and human figures with respect and reverence. The artists also incorporate their myths, legends, fables, tattoos and music into their paintings. The paintings are not only decorative but also narrative and symbolic.
The Use of Metaphors and Symbols
Bhimayana uses metaphors and symbols to represent caste oppression and liberation in a creative and effective way. The graphic novel uses animals, birds, fish, snakes, trees and flowers to convey the emotions, experiences and aspirations of the characters. For example:
The fish represents the thirst of the Dalits for water, dignity and freedom. The fish also represents Ambedkar's zodiac sign Pisces.
The snake represents the train that Ambedkar travels on to reach Bombay for his education. The snake also represents the Brahminical power that tries to strangle the Dalits.
The lion represents the fort where Ambedkar works as a minister in Baroda. The lion also represents the courage and strength of Ambedkar.
The lotus represents the Buddha who offers Ambedkar a new path of enlightenment and liberation. The lotus also represents the purity and beauty of Ambedkar's vision.
The graphic novel also uses other symbols such as pointing hands, eyes and faces to guide the reader through the narrative. The symbols also bear witness to the events and express solidarity with the characters.
The Use of Colors and Contrast
Bhimayana uses colors and contrast to create mood, emotion and impact in the graphic novel. The colors are vibrant and expressive, reflecting the rich culture and diversity of India. The contrast is stark and dramatic, highlighting the inequality and injustice of caste oppression.
For example:
The graphic novel uses red to symbolize blood, violence, anger and resistance. Red is also used to symbolize love, passion and life.
The graphic novel uses black to symbolize darkness, ignorance, fear and death. Black is also used to symbolize dignity, pride and identity.
The graphic novel uses white to symbolize light, knowledge, peace and purity. White is also used to symbolize oppression, domination and exclusion.
The graphic novel uses yellow to symbolize sun, warmth, happiness and hope. Yellow is also used to symbolize cowardice, deceit and betrayal.
The graphic novel uses contrast to create visual tension and contrast between the oppressors and the oppressed, between the past and the present, between the reality and the dream.
The Use of Text and Images
Bhimayana uses text and images to create a narrative that is both informative and expressive. The text is composed of dialogues, quotations, captions and narration. The text is derived from various sources such as news articles, historical documents, biographies, poems and songs. The text is informative and factual, providing the reader with relevant and reliable information about the topic.
The images are composed of drawings, paintings, photographs and maps. The images are created by the Pardhan Gond artists using their distinctive style and technique. The images are expressive and artistic, providing the reader with a visual representation of the topic.
The text and images complement each other to create a narrative that is both informative and expressive. The text and images work together to convey the message of the graphic novel in a clear and compelling way.
How Bhimayana Challenges Caste Oppression in India
Bhimayana is not only a graphic novel that tells the story of B.R. Ambedkar, but also a graphic novel that challenges caste oppression in India by exposing its roots, manifestations and consequences. It is a graphic novel that raises awareness and questions about the caste system in India, which is one of the oldest and most pervasive forms of social stratification in the world.
The Roots of Caste Oppression
Bhimayana traces the origins and evolution of caste oppression in India from ancient times to modern times. It shows how the caste system was created and justified by the Hindu scriptures such as Manusmriti, which divided Hindus into four rigid hierarchical groups based on their karma (work) and dharma (duty). It also shows how the caste system was reinforced and exploited by various ruling elites such as the Mughal Empire and the British Raj, who used it as a tool of governance and control.
Bhimayana reveals how the caste system has been deeply ingrained in the Indian society and culture for centuries, affecting every aspect of life such as education, occupation, marriage, religion, politics and law. It also reveals how the caste system has been internalized by the people themselves, who have accepted it as a natural and inevitable order of things.
The Manifestations of Caste Oppression
Bhimayana illustrates the various forms and levels of caste oppression in India such as denial of basic rights, violence, humiliation and exclusion. It shows how the Dalits and other lower castes have been subjected to discrimination and abuse by the upper castes who have enjoyed privileges and power. It also shows how the Dalits and other lower castes have been marginalized and exploited by the dominant groups who have denied them access to resources and opportunities.
Bhimayana depicts the everyday experiences of untouchability that Ambedkar faced throughout his life such as being denied water, shelter and travel. It also depicts the extreme cases of untouchability that many Dalits face even today such as being lynched, raped, burned or killed for violating caste norms or asserting their rights.
The Consequences of Caste Oppression
Bhimayana shows the impact of caste oppression on individuals, communities and society at large such as psychological trauma, social inequality and political unrest. It shows how caste oppression has damaged the self-esteem, dignity and identity of the Dalits and other lower castes who have been made to feel inferior, unworthy and unwanted. It also shows how caste oppression has created divisions, conflicts and violence among different groups who have been made to hate, fear and distrust each other.
Bhimayana reflects how caste oppression has hindered the development, progress and harmony of India as a nation that claims to be democratic, secular and diverse. It also reflects how caste oppression has violated the human rights, values and principles that India upholds as a member of the global community.
The Resistance to Caste Oppression
Bhimayana portrays the resistance to caste oppression in India through education, activism, law and religion. It shows how Ambedkar and his followers challenged caste oppression by pursuing education, activism, law and religion as means of empowerment and emancipation. It also shows how Ambedkar and his followers inspired and influenced many other movements and leaders who fought for social justice and human rights.
Bhimayana depicts how Ambedkar used education as a weapon to overcome caste barriers and achieve academic excellence. It also depicts how Ambedkar used education as a tool to spread awareness and knowledge among the Dalits and other oppressed groups.
Bhimayana depicts how Ambedkar used activism as a strategy to mobilize and organize the Dalits and other oppressed groups. It also depicts how Ambedkar used activism as a method to protest and resist against caste discrimination and violence.
Bhimayana depicts how Ambedkar used law as a profession to defend and protect the rights of the Dalits and other oppressed groups. It also depicts how Ambedkar used law as a process to draft and enact the Constitution of India, which guarantees equality, liberty and fraternity to all citizens.
Bhimayana depicts how Ambedkar used religion as a choice to renounce Hinduism and embrace Buddhism. It also depicts how Ambedkar used religion as a source of moral guidance and social harmony for himself and his followers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability is a graphic novel that tells the story of B.R. Ambedkar, a Dalit leader and the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, through his personal experiences of caste discrimination and his fight for social justice. It is a graphic novel that uses art to convey a powerful message of resistance and liberation. It is a graphic novel that challenges caste oppression in India by exposing its roots, manifestations and consequences.
Bhimayana is a graphic novel that is important for anyone who wants to understand the history, culture and politics of India and its marginalized communities. It is a graphic novel that is relevant for anyone who wants to learn about the caste system in India and its impact on human rights, values and principles. It is a graphic novel that is inspiring for anyone who wants to follow the example of B.R. Ambedkar and his vision of equality, liberty and fraternity.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Bhimayana with brief answers:
What is Bhimayana?
Bhimayana is a graphic novel that tells the story of B.R. Ambedkar, a Dalit leader and the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, through his personal experiences of caste discrimination and his fight for social justice.
Who are the authors and illustrators of Bhimayana?
Bhimayana is written by Srividya Natarajan and S. Anand and illustrated by Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam.
What is the genre and subtheme of Bhimayana?
Bhimayana belongs to the genre of historical biography and socio-politics. It explores the subtheme of continuing practice of caste based discrimination in India and the struggle against it by tracing it down to B.R. Ambedkar's life.
What is the art style of Bhimayana?
Bhimayana is illustrated in the Pardhan Gond style of art, which is an ancient and unique form of expression that uses dots and lines to create intricate patterns and textures.
Why is Bhimayana important?
Bhimayana is important because it is not just a graphic novel that tells the story of B.R. Ambedkar, but also a graphic novel that challenges caste oppression in India by exposing its roots, manifestations and consequences. It is a graphic novel that raises awareness and questions about the caste system in India and its impact on human rights, values and principles. It is a graphic novel that is inspiring for anyone who wants to follow the example of B.R. Ambedkar and his vision of equality, liberty and fraternity.
Where can I get a copy of Bhimayana?
Bhimayana is published by Navayana Publishing, an independent publisher that focuses on social justice issues. You can order a copy of Bhimayana from their website or from other online platforms such as Amazon or Flipkart. You can also find Bhimayana in some libraries and bookstores.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about Bhimayana and B.R. Ambedkar. If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for your time and attention. 71b2f0854b