The Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) witnessed an eldritch moment on Thursday that laid bare the deep-seated prejudices plaguing our society.
During a session on Dilip M. Menon’s book, “Concepts from the Global South“, Dr. Malavika Binny, a distinguished historian and academic was confronted by a member of the audience for speaking in English.
The incident reminded the audience how language can be used as a tool of oppression, silencing the subaltern and reinforcing existing power dynamics.
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Dr. Malavika Binny, a Dalit representative was part of a panel discussion that explored the themes of caste, representation, and cinema in the Global South.
As the session progressed, with Dr Malavika and Dilip M Menon engaging in a deep discussion, a middle-aged man suddenly stood up and began ranting loudly.
“Why are you speaking in English?” he demanded, his voice dripping with aggression. “Why can’t you speak in Malayalam?”
The audience was taken aback by the man’s outburst. However, Malavika maintained her composure and responded calmly.
“I’m speaking in English because this is an English-language session,” she explained. “And I’m speaking to an audience that includes people from all over India and abroad.”
But the man was not satisfied with her response. He continued to rant and rave, demanding to know why Malavika was not speaking in Malayalam.
“It’s interesting that he didn’t ask Dilip to speak in Malayalam. This is a classic example of how women and Dalits are expected to conform to certain norms and expectations, while others are given a free pass,” she said.
The individual who confronted Malavika was adamant that she should be speaking in Malayalam, even though the session was designated as an English-language event.
His aggression and belligerence showcase demanding power and prejudice in which language can be used as a tool of oppression, reinforcing existing power dynamics and silencing the subaltern.
Undeterred by the interruption, Dr Malavika Binny steered the session back on track, posing a series of incisive questions to Dilip M Menon about his book.
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“Language is not just a reflection of society, but also shapes our perceptions of it,” she said. “In Dilip’s book, he explores how words related to caste have different meanings in different languages,” Malavika added.
Dilip M Menon’s responses offered valuable insights into how language can be both a tool of oppression and a means of resistance.
Malavika also talked about Dalit humour which has been marginalised and excluded from mainstream discourse which was particularly nuanced.
“Dalit humour is often labelled as ‘bad humour’ when it challenges the existing power structures, but when it is used to reinforce stereotypes, it is deemed ‘acceptable’.”
Malavika shed light on the disturbing representation of Dalits in Indian cinema, particularly in Malayalam movies.
She pointed out that Dalit characters are often portrayed as impoverished, helpless, and dark-skinned, perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
She also stated that this biased representation is not limited to Malayalam cinema, as Hindi cinema has also been guilty of stereotyping Dalits. For instance, films often depict Dalits as submissive and introverted, reinforcing the notion that they are powerless and marginalised.
“The absence of authentic Dalit representation in Indian cinema is striking. Even when Dalit characters are featured, they are often relegated to peripheral roles, reinforcing the dominant upper-caste narrative,” she added.
The Kerala Literature Festival presented by DC Books, continues until January 26, featuring a wide range of sessions, workshops, and cultural events that celebrate literature and ideas at the Kozhikode beach in Kerala.