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Ambedkar: The Fight for Justice
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891–1956), one of India’s foremost revolutionaries, grew up untouchable. Battling against the odds, he gained multiple doctorates, campaigned against social discrimination and the caste system and went on to draft the Constitution of India. Throughout his life Ambedkar faced routine discrimination: in school at the age of 10; in Baroda after his return from Columbia University; and while travelling in later life. The discrimination experienced by Ambedkar continues to haunt a majority of India’s 170 million dalits as many are still denied water, shelter and the basic dignities of life.
In this ground-breaking work, Pardhan-Gond artists Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam interweave historical events with contemporary incidents, infusing fresh energy into the graphic idiom through their magical art.
Durgabai Vyam, who has illustrated a dozen books and won the BolognaRagazzi award in 2008 for The Night Life of Trees, says Bhimayana is her most accomplished work yet. Subhash Vyam began as a sculptor before turning to painting. They live in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
Srividya Natarajan is a dancer and novelist; she lives in London, Canada. S. Anand is the publisher of Navayana.
In this ground-breaking work, Pardhan-Gond artists Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam interweave historical events with contemporary incidents, infusing fresh energy into the graphic idiom through their magical art.
Durgabai Vyam, who has illustrated a dozen books and won the BolognaRagazzi award in 2008 for The Night Life of Trees, says Bhimayana is her most accomplished work yet. Subhash Vyam began as a sculptor before turning to painting. They live in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
Srividya Natarajan is a dancer and novelist; she lives in London, Canada. S. Anand is the publisher of Navayana.
108 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
38 people are currently reading
1050 people want to read
About the author
Srividya Natarajan
16 books15 followersSrividya Natarajan received a Ph.D. in English from the University of Hyderabad in 1998, and spent the next seven years as an editor, writer, and illustrator of children's books. She has also taught and performed Bharatanatyam for many years. Srividya now lives in Canada where she teaches English at King's University College, University of Western Ontario, writes in her spare time and finds time for occasional collaborations with the Toronto-based in Dance. Her first novel for adults, No Onions Nor Garlic was published by Penguin India.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
April 5, 2017
Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability
Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability details major events in the life of Bhimrao Ambedkar as he worked with other Dalits to achieve Justice and Equality for Dalits.
He was the architect of India's Constitution and the first Law Minister of India.
The book is beautifully illustrated by Pardhan-Gond artists Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam.
Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability details major events in the life of Bhimrao Ambedkar as he worked with other Dalits to achieve Justice and Equality for Dalits.
He was the architect of India's Constitution and the first Law Minister of India.
The book is beautifully illustrated by Pardhan-Gond artists Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam.
December 27, 2013
I love the art; it is naive, but knowing, depicting a world that is fantastic, where inanimate objects take on the aspects of living things, where portions of human beings become animals; but also a realistic world where hatred and snobbery blight lives.
This graphic novel puts the life of BR Ambedkar, the author of the Indian Constitution and the first great Dalit leader of the modern era in perspective. It shows us how food, water and shelter, things so many of us take for granted, are fraught with obstacles for even an educated Dalit, not just in Ambedkar's youth but, as a series of recent newspaper clippings show us even today.
There are many popular books on the other prominent figures of the Indian freedom struggle. This is one of the first books about Ambedkar that makes his significance as an anti-caste political leader clear to a general audience. That it has been done in the form of a path-breaking collaboration between writer and artists, forging a graphic narrative style that is not dependent on American or Japanese examples only makes it that much more of a landmark work.
My only caveat is that the text boxes overwhelm the pictures towards the end of each section. They break the rhythm of the story; they do contain important context and exposition and could perhaps have been saved for a textual section at the end of the book.
Everybody in this country should read this book.
This graphic novel puts the life of BR Ambedkar, the author of the Indian Constitution and the first great Dalit leader of the modern era in perspective. It shows us how food, water and shelter, things so many of us take for granted, are fraught with obstacles for even an educated Dalit, not just in Ambedkar's youth but, as a series of recent newspaper clippings show us even today.
There are many popular books on the other prominent figures of the Indian freedom struggle. This is one of the first books about Ambedkar that makes his significance as an anti-caste political leader clear to a general audience. That it has been done in the form of a path-breaking collaboration between writer and artists, forging a graphic narrative style that is not dependent on American or Japanese examples only makes it that much more of a landmark work.
My only caveat is that the text boxes overwhelm the pictures towards the end of each section. They break the rhythm of the story; they do contain important context and exposition and could perhaps have been saved for a textual section at the end of the book.
Everybody in this country should read this book.
June 10, 2015
"One of the iconic moments in the global history of anticolonial struggles is considered to be when, in 1893, a 24-year-old Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is thrown out of the first-class compartment of a train in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and, he is in his own words, 'accommodated in a tin compartment where Kaffirs are packed like sheep.' This incident- the horror of being 'degraded' to the level of bestial Kaffirs'- is believed to have spurred Gandhi towards his life long and tenacious struggle against colonial authority and discrimination. That Gandhi, as a resourceful young lawyer, could afford a first class ticket in a foreign country is lost sight of. That Gandhi had to go all the way to South Africa to discover racial discrimination, whereas young Bhimrao encountered this as a ten year old in Satara, Bombay Presidency, in 1901, is forgotton!.... While touchable Gandhi who succeeded in furthering the cause of racial segregation in South Africa came to be recognized as a global anti-imperialism icon, untouchable Bhim who could not drink water in his local school and went on to lead the Mahad satyagraha in 1927 has been neglected by history." - Anand in the epilogue of Bhimayana
Bhimayana is a graphic novel on the life of Ambedkar. But what gave this work gravitas was undoubtedly the story that Anand (the publisher of navayana) shares with us in the epilogue. In it, he narrates the evolution of the Pardhan Gond art, the 'discovery' of this priceless tradition by Jagdish Swaminathan (the then director of Bhopal's Bharat Bhavan cultural centre) and their journey towards international recognition.
With the art work by Durgabhai Vyam and Subash Vyam-two of the exponents of Pardhan Gond art, Bhimayana is about the life of Ambedkar, His harrowing experiences in school, the struggle to find accommodation in Vadodara (the land of the shelter providing banyans), his transformation into the 'voice' of the depressed classes and the famous differences of opinion with Gandhi find expression here.
One of those works which wake you up from the slumber induced by the glitz and razzmatazz of urbanizing and 'growing' India.
Bhimayana is a graphic novel on the life of Ambedkar. But what gave this work gravitas was undoubtedly the story that Anand (the publisher of navayana) shares with us in the epilogue. In it, he narrates the evolution of the Pardhan Gond art, the 'discovery' of this priceless tradition by Jagdish Swaminathan (the then director of Bhopal's Bharat Bhavan cultural centre) and their journey towards international recognition.
With the art work by Durgabhai Vyam and Subash Vyam-two of the exponents of Pardhan Gond art, Bhimayana is about the life of Ambedkar, His harrowing experiences in school, the struggle to find accommodation in Vadodara (the land of the shelter providing banyans), his transformation into the 'voice' of the depressed classes and the famous differences of opinion with Gandhi find expression here.
One of those works which wake you up from the slumber induced by the glitz and razzmatazz of urbanizing and 'growing' India.
June 24, 2023
Beautiful and original artwork. Reading the last section on how this book came into being was a joy too.
The story is a good read for readers who are unaware of the harsh discrimination faced by Dr.Ambedkar in his life. This is interspersed with news articles from the 21st century showing how atrocities on Dalits continue and we still have some way to go as a society ! It is a little on the simplistic side but it got its message across. Some readers have commented that it is aggressive politically but I am ok with an aggressive stance against dehumanisation.
PS:- Dehumanisation must be aggressively resisted irrespective of whether it is on the basis of caste (Hinduism / Indic religions), race (Nazism and colour etc) or religion (you probably know what I am talking about).
Either both this book and "The Kashmir Files" were hate speech - or either both are not. If Ambedkar burning Manusmriti is alright, then criticising other religions is not hate speech. You are a retard if you discriminate between discriminations.
The story is a good read for readers who are unaware of the harsh discrimination faced by Dr.Ambedkar in his life. This is interspersed with news articles from the 21st century showing how atrocities on Dalits continue and we still have some way to go as a society ! It is a little on the simplistic side but it got its message across. Some readers have commented that it is aggressive politically but I am ok with an aggressive stance against dehumanisation.
PS:- Dehumanisation must be aggressively resisted irrespective of whether it is on the basis of caste (Hinduism / Indic religions), race (Nazism and colour etc) or religion (you probably know what I am talking about).
Either both this book and "The Kashmir Files" were hate speech - or either both are not. If Ambedkar burning Manusmriti is alright, then criticising other religions is not hate speech. You are a retard if you discriminate between discriminations.
March 1, 2018
Not a fan of graphic novels and I lack the imagination to appreciate the art work in this book but I can appreciate the written word and I loved it.
I will admit I have decided to embark on a journey to understand Baba Saheb and actually know what it means to be a true Ambedkarite.
This book was a beautiful aid to this journey giving us details of some of Baba Saheb's personal experiences as a member of the Mahar community which is considered an untouchable caste in the caste hierarchy practiced in India. It also uses recent incidents of atrocities against Dalits.
We read how caste system isn't always limited to Hinduism. An untouchable somehow remains so for Christians , Parsis and Muslims as well.
I will recommend readers of this review to definitely read this book :)
Jai Bhim!!
I will admit I have decided to embark on a journey to understand Baba Saheb and actually know what it means to be a true Ambedkarite.
This book was a beautiful aid to this journey giving us details of some of Baba Saheb's personal experiences as a member of the Mahar community which is considered an untouchable caste in the caste hierarchy practiced in India. It also uses recent incidents of atrocities against Dalits.
We read how caste system isn't always limited to Hinduism. An untouchable somehow remains so for Christians , Parsis and Muslims as well.
I will recommend readers of this review to definitely read this book :)
Jai Bhim!!
July 25, 2022
Informative? Yes. Aggressive? Yes, but in a good way.
It will push you to do more research which will help in shaping your perspective and understanding of the issue of caste that still convulses the Indian society.
Overall, an okay read. And that might be because I have extensively studied about the issues that are involved in this and the story of the man around which it revolves.
P.S.: This review is in no way a review of the personality that Hon'ble Ambedkar was. I am highly incompetent to judge him or his works, and will always be.
It will push you to do more research which will help in shaping your perspective and understanding of the issue of caste that still convulses the Indian society.
Overall, an okay read. And that might be because I have extensively studied about the issues that are involved in this and the story of the man around which it revolves.
P.S.: This review is in no way a review of the personality that Hon'ble Ambedkar was. I am highly incompetent to judge him or his works, and will always be.
July 9, 2023
This book is amazing for so many reasons. I like how the authors present some key events from Dr Ambedkar's life that informed his work, and link those to news reports from the present day, to show how caste based discrimination continues to be a strong force to this date. The art is spectacular- Gond artists have created a very unique visual narrative structure that I haven't seen in any other graphic novel. I love that it is a group of 'own voices' artists from very different backgrounds who have collaborated to bring this vision to life. This is a stellar work that takes ahead the mission of Educate, Agitate and Organize in an easy to read and very creative format. It is perfect for readers who are new to Ambedkar's work though- for those who are well versed with it, this book may seem basic in content even though it is interesting in style.
July 14, 2021
Gorgeous, inventively told interludes from the life of Ambedkar. These vignettes ache with injustice, and the hurt that comes from deep rejection, while also showcasing the strong bonds that can exist between those who share a struggle.
January 21, 2016
This is a stunningly beautiful book. It's somewhere between a graphic novel and a children's book, but it is certainly a children's book for all ages. The story is framed by two strangers chatting about caste at a bus stop. Through that conversation, the story of Ambedkar emerges. Through his biography one learns about how simple access to water, transportation, shelter are made impossible given treatment of Dalits. What makes this book extra powerful is that interspersed throughout are newspaper clips from various similar incidents lest the reader think that caste is a thing of the past. The illustrations are mesmerising, too: one needs to read this book a few times to appreciate all the levels of artistry at play.
August 22, 2015
Gond art by the invincible Durgabai telling the story of India's uprising against the caste system. Dr. Ambedkar is a tough act to follow and this scintillatingly illustrated graphic gives us a window into some of his experiences and resistance against the Hindu caste system; including his falling out with Gandhi. Art is a super medium to learn with. It leaves you with perennial surprise and a contagion of imagery that you will carry with you a long time.
June 15, 2011
GRIPPING.
This is a graphic biography of one of the founding fathers of independent India, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. This graphic biography is unconventional and path-breaking in every sense. It is a wonderful read for children and adults alike. It is a visual delight for turning every notion of comic book industry upside down.
This is a graphic biography of one of the founding fathers of independent India, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. This graphic biography is unconventional and path-breaking in every sense. It is a wonderful read for children and adults alike. It is a visual delight for turning every notion of comic book industry upside down.
July 29, 2018
An excellent graphic book on some stories in the life of Bhimrao Ambedkar which uses indigenious artform of Chhatisgarh to express the difficulties that the man had to face in his youth! The use of digna as the gutter space is ingenious! Loved reading it.
August 15, 2020
I wonder why Ambedkar's life and his movements to Untouchables is purposely neglected in the Indian Education System. This book should be mandatory in school syllabus so students should have a broader view and instigate debate. I am lucky and honored to read this book.
December 3, 2013
This book is brilliant! the art is amazing and completely unconventional, the story is gripping and touches your heart. Persepolis fans would love this book. Highest possible recommendation!
April 12, 2021
An eye opening book about my privilege!
March 30, 2021
Bhimayana is a very expressive & thought-provoking graphic novel. Original accounts of people and their tragedies of the segregated caste system have been bestowed in this book. Each part of the art is made with intricate designs. Traditional Pradhan Gond art is used in this book having deeper meanings to each and every line and image in this book.
The book is divided into the three basic necessities that are required for a living, i.e. Water, Shelter, and Food. The purpose of exhibiting the stories in these categories only is to show how the lower class people were denied even these basic needs in their life.
This is not an ordinary graphic novel or comic in which an event is blocked in the box instead the Gond artists use the technique known as ‘Khulla’ as they believe it is unfair to enclose a respectable person, like B.R. Ambedkar, in a box. The art is quite evocative and meaningful, making it understandable for people of all ages.
Read the full review on:
https://readreactreview21.wordpress.c...
The book is divided into the three basic necessities that are required for a living, i.e. Water, Shelter, and Food. The purpose of exhibiting the stories in these categories only is to show how the lower class people were denied even these basic needs in their life.
This is not an ordinary graphic novel or comic in which an event is blocked in the box instead the Gond artists use the technique known as ‘Khulla’ as they believe it is unfair to enclose a respectable person, like B.R. Ambedkar, in a box. The art is quite evocative and meaningful, making it understandable for people of all ages.
Read the full review on:
https://readreactreview21.wordpress.c...
January 19, 2022
A visual masterpiece! The artwork is in Gond style - very different from most graphic novels I have read. It has a breath of freshness in its style and content. The book tells us about incidents from the life of Ambedkar, and the problems that Dalits have been facing in India.
The usual rhetoric of caste is a thing of the past has been handled head on through the narration, and numerous news clippings in the work.
The usual rhetoric of caste is a thing of the past has been handled head on through the narration, and numerous news clippings in the work.
June 7, 2021
Bhimayana by Srividya Natarajan
A graphic novel eneompassing specific elements. the gond art movement.
Bringing it into light are artists from eastern Madhya Pradesh. Different graphic vehicles are used to put across the thoughts- scorpions tail for the casteist society , a soft floating bird the voice of the neglected. There are not specific divisions or panels like the structure of a conventional graphic novel, but a open platform for the story.
Undulating and full of innocence, we see Ambedkar's first brush with the blunt casteism. This begins the shaping of the monumental figure in India's history.
We all have the same question stemming from ignorance
The question of caste reservation during our college seats and cut off scores for examinations
I always thought of it as unfair..
Now I understand..
What we face is not a drop of the seclusion and discriminations Dalits have faced. Ambedkar, a dalit himself was refused travel, haircuts.. how would you feel to be disregarded for basic purposes?
The hate and the taboo is deep rooted from generations, dumping of toxic wastes into a pond so that the dalits do not consume it?
Caste has become a burden, a free ticket for harassment and rape, and finally basic livelihood.
Educated and inspiring, Ambedkar wanted more for the dalits and it was a fight before the independence of the country.
But it still happens. Caste discrimination in India, Racism in the US..
What I liked about this story is it represents the strong, unwavering hope and voice that Ambedkar represented holding the weak voices. He not only led peaceful protests but gave practical solutions of how caste is not the currency for this country.
Capitalizing on caste is destroying the country now..
A graphic novel eneompassing specific elements. the gond art movement.
Bringing it into light are artists from eastern Madhya Pradesh. Different graphic vehicles are used to put across the thoughts- scorpions tail for the casteist society , a soft floating bird the voice of the neglected. There are not specific divisions or panels like the structure of a conventional graphic novel, but a open platform for the story.
Undulating and full of innocence, we see Ambedkar's first brush with the blunt casteism. This begins the shaping of the monumental figure in India's history.
We all have the same question stemming from ignorance
The question of caste reservation during our college seats and cut off scores for examinations
I always thought of it as unfair..
Now I understand..
What we face is not a drop of the seclusion and discriminations Dalits have faced. Ambedkar, a dalit himself was refused travel, haircuts.. how would you feel to be disregarded for basic purposes?
The hate and the taboo is deep rooted from generations, dumping of toxic wastes into a pond so that the dalits do not consume it?
Caste has become a burden, a free ticket for harassment and rape, and finally basic livelihood.
Educated and inspiring, Ambedkar wanted more for the dalits and it was a fight before the independence of the country.
But it still happens. Caste discrimination in India, Racism in the US..
What I liked about this story is it represents the strong, unwavering hope and voice that Ambedkar represented holding the weak voices. He not only led peaceful protests but gave practical solutions of how caste is not the currency for this country.
Capitalizing on caste is destroying the country now..
November 23, 2022
I appreciated this book immensely. This was a rewarding read - for the art, the structure of the book, and for what it aims to do.
September 4, 2023
Brilliant ...
September 11, 2023
Great illustrations. Good storytelling on the hardships faced by Dalits, drawing from the life of Dr Ambedkar. I like how they have cited newspaper articles in this, very interesting format.
August 11, 2020
Pits the past against the present to show the struggles of dalits. A must read graphic novel. Thoughtfully weaved.
July 23, 2020
Ambedkar: The Fight for Justice is a graphic novel written by the team of Srividya Natarajan and S. Anand, illustrated by the team of Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam, and a forward by John Berger. It is a graphic biography of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar.
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer, who inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement and campaigned against social discrimination towards the untouchables (Dalits). He was independent India's first Minister of Law and Justice, and the chief architect of the Constitution of India.
The graphic novel opens with a frame story of an unnamed character complaining about the quota needed for his job and is immediately challenged by another character leading to a conversation about the history of caste atrocities in India. He is advised to read about Ambedkar to understand what happened at Khairlanji. The graphic novel then moves on to the narrative of Ambedkar's life from his childhood at the age of ten to his fight against the caste system as an adult.
Ambedkar: The Fight for Justice is written and constructed rather well. The graphic novel is based on incidents narrated in B.R. Ambedkar's autobiographical notes. He documented events from his own life and others' to provide an idea of the caste discrimination against dalits that is sanctioned under Hinduism. The graphic novel is divided into four sections – each section represents a time period in the life of Ambedkar. The illustrations get some time to get used as it is more metaphorical and uses a lot of imagery and anthropomorphism.
All in all, Ambedkar: The Fight for Justice is a sobering biography of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar – a notable figure in the long history of India.
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer, who inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement and campaigned against social discrimination towards the untouchables (Dalits). He was independent India's first Minister of Law and Justice, and the chief architect of the Constitution of India.
The graphic novel opens with a frame story of an unnamed character complaining about the quota needed for his job and is immediately challenged by another character leading to a conversation about the history of caste atrocities in India. He is advised to read about Ambedkar to understand what happened at Khairlanji. The graphic novel then moves on to the narrative of Ambedkar's life from his childhood at the age of ten to his fight against the caste system as an adult.
Ambedkar: The Fight for Justice is written and constructed rather well. The graphic novel is based on incidents narrated in B.R. Ambedkar's autobiographical notes. He documented events from his own life and others' to provide an idea of the caste discrimination against dalits that is sanctioned under Hinduism. The graphic novel is divided into four sections – each section represents a time period in the life of Ambedkar. The illustrations get some time to get used as it is more metaphorical and uses a lot of imagery and anthropomorphism.
All in all, Ambedkar: The Fight for Justice is a sobering biography of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar – a notable figure in the long history of India.
November 23, 2018
It seems to me that more people should know the name Ambedkar: father of the Indian constitution, tireless advocate for social justice, voice of the untouchables, and someone I am sure would not shirk some incivility in his civic discourse every now and then--even if it means going up against Gandhi himself (who really did him and the rest of the untouchables dirty, as it turns out).
The driving force of this book is the art, which I am given to understand is derived by the husband-wife illustrator team from a very particular school that riffs on traditional imagery. The result is less a graphic novel and more an exotic "picture book for grownups," with a very particular use of space and lovely panel borders. It is at times difficult to recognize the same character across pages, but come to find out that this is somewhat intentional, as the art style doesn't insist on linearity or inflexibility, but evolves its figures according to their circumstances and feelings. There is also a peculiarity with the word balloons that I noticed right away and which is explained very nicely in an afterword, as are some of the other unusual artistic conventions.
The injustice and bias this book exposes are truly shocking in their pervasiveness and senselessness. Ambedkar's brave struggle made some important inroads, but the episodes from his life are reflected in reproduced news accounts of very similar instances of abuse and murder--reminders that very little has improved for the untouchables in Indian society.
The driving force of this book is the art, which I am given to understand is derived by the husband-wife illustrator team from a very particular school that riffs on traditional imagery. The result is less a graphic novel and more an exotic "picture book for grownups," with a very particular use of space and lovely panel borders. It is at times difficult to recognize the same character across pages, but come to find out that this is somewhat intentional, as the art style doesn't insist on linearity or inflexibility, but evolves its figures according to their circumstances and feelings. There is also a peculiarity with the word balloons that I noticed right away and which is explained very nicely in an afterword, as are some of the other unusual artistic conventions.
The injustice and bias this book exposes are truly shocking in their pervasiveness and senselessness. Ambedkar's brave struggle made some important inroads, but the episodes from his life are reflected in reproduced news accounts of very similar instances of abuse and murder--reminders that very little has improved for the untouchables in Indian society.
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March 8, 2021DISCLAIMER: I am by no means an expert in rating graphic books so I will focus more on the content.
How I got this book?
My brother gifted this graphic novel to me this New Year - serendipity.
How I read this book?
I breezed through the stories while attending the college lectures during a single day in around 4 hours.
What is the book about?
The book presents the various forms of social discrimination faced by the “lower caste”, the Untouchables. The curse of untouchability makes trivial tasks in the lives of an untouchable rather difficult.
Most of the stories are from B.R. Ambedkar’s personal experiences. Also included are the recent(at the time of publication) reports of social injustice and brutality against the lower caste. The use of art to display the compelling stories from the perspective of the oppressed is thought provoking and eye-catching.
What is my takeaway from this book?
- I am too ignorant about the topic of social discrimination.
- Developed some understanding of their plight at the very least.
- The pervasive nature of discrimination across religions.
- How unfair the world can be based on things that are not under an individual’s control.
- A different lens to look at things I take for granted.
This book has affected the way I think about religion and asked some fundamental questions of me. I am grateful for this being the first book I read this year.
How I got this book?
My brother gifted this graphic novel to me this New Year - serendipity.
How I read this book?
I breezed through the stories while attending the college lectures during a single day in around 4 hours.
What is the book about?
The book presents the various forms of social discrimination faced by the “lower caste”, the Untouchables. The curse of untouchability makes trivial tasks in the lives of an untouchable rather difficult.
Most of the stories are from B.R. Ambedkar’s personal experiences. Also included are the recent(at the time of publication) reports of social injustice and brutality against the lower caste. The use of art to display the compelling stories from the perspective of the oppressed is thought provoking and eye-catching.
What is my takeaway from this book?
- I am too ignorant about the topic of social discrimination.
- Developed some understanding of their plight at the very least.
- The pervasive nature of discrimination across religions.
- How unfair the world can be based on things that are not under an individual’s control.
- A different lens to look at things I take for granted.
This book has affected the way I think about religion and asked some fundamental questions of me. I am grateful for this being the first book I read this year.
December 30, 2021
Las ilustraciones son muy diferentes, bellas, danzantes y "antropormorfizante", de verdad me gustó.
El tema es muy interesante, pero no hay introducción así que lx lectorx puede perderse sobre la intención del texto. Un poco caótico su desarrollo.
Encontre un error de traducción muy evidente, lo que hace pensar que con una revisión de ella, mejoraría la experiencia.
El tema es muy interesante, pero no hay introducción así que lx lectorx puede perderse sobre la intención del texto. Un poco caótico su desarrollo.
Encontre un error de traducción muy evidente, lo que hace pensar que con una revisión de ella, mejoraría la experiencia.
April 15, 2024
"Caste System is Dead"
"I don't even know my caste"
"Reservations killed merit"
These are arguments we constantly hear whenever there is any discussion on caste atrocities or the caste system. But how many of us pause to think about the fact that even being unaware of our caste is a privilege only the upper caste enjoys? How many of us are aware of the atrocities that Dalits have been subject to for centuries and continue to be subject to?
We have all heard of Dr. Ambedkar, the Father of the Constitution and the first Law Minister of India, but not many of us have read his autobiography "Waiting for a Visa" where he details the discrimination which even an educated Dalit like him was subject to. We may not all want to read an autobiography, but we can certainly read Bhimayana, the graphic story which details events from his life and connects it to incidents that are happening today. The parallels between what Dr. Ambedkar faced a century back and what continues to happen today proves conclusively that caste is still used as a tool of oppression.
The book is brilliantly illustrated by the noted Gond artists, Durgabai Vyam and her husband Subash. They adapted traditional Gond storytelling sensibilities to the demands of a modern graphic story and came up with something absolutely unique. Even from a purely aesthetic standpoint, the book is a delight to read.
"I don't even know my caste"
"Reservations killed merit"
These are arguments we constantly hear whenever there is any discussion on caste atrocities or the caste system. But how many of us pause to think about the fact that even being unaware of our caste is a privilege only the upper caste enjoys? How many of us are aware of the atrocities that Dalits have been subject to for centuries and continue to be subject to?
We have all heard of Dr. Ambedkar, the Father of the Constitution and the first Law Minister of India, but not many of us have read his autobiography "Waiting for a Visa" where he details the discrimination which even an educated Dalit like him was subject to. We may not all want to read an autobiography, but we can certainly read Bhimayana, the graphic story which details events from his life and connects it to incidents that are happening today. The parallels between what Dr. Ambedkar faced a century back and what continues to happen today proves conclusively that caste is still used as a tool of oppression.
The book is brilliantly illustrated by the noted Gond artists, Durgabai Vyam and her husband Subash. They adapted traditional Gond storytelling sensibilities to the demands of a modern graphic story and came up with something absolutely unique. Even from a purely aesthetic standpoint, the book is a delight to read.
January 15, 2018
A beautiful Gond rendition of Ambedkar's "Waiting for A Visa", under the patronage of John Berger (Ways of Seeing) and Arundhati Roy among others.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau for Statistics, a crime is committed against a Dalit in India every 18 minutes. India's blatant apartheid has not come under the spotlight like that in America or South Africa. This book aims to highlight some of the crimes we as a society commit against this subjugated community. Crime that is not even considered worth reporting by the major dailies in this country. I find myself so ignorant and helpless at once, to not know the state of my own society.
I recommend this book to all Indians who wish to understand the fabric of this nation and do away with their own misgivings about the country they live in.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau for Statistics, a crime is committed against a Dalit in India every 18 minutes. India's blatant apartheid has not come under the spotlight like that in America or South Africa. This book aims to highlight some of the crimes we as a society commit against this subjugated community. Crime that is not even considered worth reporting by the major dailies in this country. I find myself so ignorant and helpless at once, to not know the state of my own society.
I recommend this book to all Indians who wish to understand the fabric of this nation and do away with their own misgivings about the country they live in.
April 18, 2020
Bhimayana is important. Not only is it a clear insight into B.R. Ambedkar's life, but it is also an open door to the world of everyone he represents.
Illustrated in a very unique Gondh art style, it shows us the sheer discrimination Ambedkar faced, stretching from childhood to adulthood, regardless of his knowledge, education or wealth. Even though Ambedkar eventually pens the constitution to make everyone equal in the eyes of the law, we are reminded (through news clippings) that casteism hasn't been left in the past yet. Dalits are still lynched, still not given access to drinking water, and still made to feel small every day. We have made progress, but there's a lot to fight for.
It is books like these which make us more humane. We need more people to read this. History cannot be erased.
Illustrated in a very unique Gondh art style, it shows us the sheer discrimination Ambedkar faced, stretching from childhood to adulthood, regardless of his knowledge, education or wealth. Even though Ambedkar eventually pens the constitution to make everyone equal in the eyes of the law, we are reminded (through news clippings) that casteism hasn't been left in the past yet. Dalits are still lynched, still not given access to drinking water, and still made to feel small every day. We have made progress, but there's a lot to fight for.
It is books like these which make us more humane. We need more people to read this. History cannot be erased.
July 16, 2020
Esta es la historia ilustrada de Bhimrao Ambedkar, un intocable o paria de principios de siglo XX que finalmente fue el arquitecto de la constitución de la India. Su tema principal es la discriminación, pero también habla de arte comunitario, extractivismo cultural y otros temas que siguen siendo actuales. Su lenguaje visual está basado en una tradición llamada Pardhan Gond y todos los elementos visuales tienen un simbolismo puntual; el discurso visual, sin ser lineal, es sin embargo tremendamente fluido.
Un bello libro que sigue siendo actual y nos hace reflexionar sobre los diferentes tipos de discriminaciones que a veces, por lejanas de nuestro contexto personal, no conocemos.
Un bello libro que sigue siendo actual y nos hace reflexionar sobre los diferentes tipos de discriminaciones que a veces, por lejanas de nuestro contexto personal, no conocemos.
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