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A Gardener in the Wasteland: Jotiba Phule's Fight for Liberty
In 1873, Jotirao Govindrao Phule wrote Gulamgiri (Slavery), a scathingly witty attack on the vedas being idle fantasies of the brahman mind which enslaved the shudras and atishudras. A hundred and forty years hence, Srividya Natarajan and Aparajita Ninan breathe fresh life into Phule’s rather graphic imagination, weaving in the story of Savitribai, Jotiba’s partner in his struggles.
In today’s climate of intolerance, here’s a manifesto of resistance.
‘Reminiscent of Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis. Brings smack into the foreground something unequivocally evil’—Hindustan Times
In today’s climate of intolerance, here’s a manifesto of resistance.
‘Reminiscent of Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis. Brings smack into the foreground something unequivocally evil’—Hindustan Times
128 pages, Hardcover
First published December 12, 2011
7 people are currently reading
395 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 35 reviews
April 28, 2017
Amazing book! Never read anything that so effortlessly explains the evils of caste, slashes the perils of hinduism and the struggles Jotiba and Savitribai Phule underwent! I had forgotten all the stories i had read as a kid about the all girls school they founded, or how a 13 year old Muktabai fiercely wrote and appealed for a free, liberal and an equal society! Hats off to Srividya and Aparajita for making history such a light read! The Graphic format is here to stay! I hope many more youngsters read it as well!
April 13, 2021
Jyotiba Phule in his campaign against social exclusion and oppression of the so-called low castes in Maharashtra tried to create a highly improbable and erroneous historical narrative of caste based oppression in India. The intellectual worth of this work is zero in my opinion and clearly smacks of serious anti-brahmin agenda with some uncanny parallels with how the Jewish people were caricatured in Europe. Very disappointed to read this work and equally saddened that a premier private university has included this in their curriculum.
January 27, 2020
A Gardener in the Wasteland: Jotiba Phule's Fight for Liberty is a graphic novel written by Srividya Natarajan and illustrated by Aparajita Ninan. It is an ambitious sweep to pull off a graphic rendition of Gulamgiri.
Mahatma Jyotirao Govindrao Phule, also known as Jyotiba Phule, was an Indian social activist, thinker, anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra.
This graphic novel aims to bring us the basic polemics of Phule's Gulamgiri in visual form. The usual take on Gulamgiri is that it rips open the mask of Brahmanical tyranny, both in terms of manufacturing of history and using that to justify a number of cold blooded, well-planned and structured injustices meted out to Dalits. However, it is much more than that as it is more a dialogue between Jyotiba and Dhondiba.
A Gardener in the Wasteland: Jotiba Phule's Fight for Liberty is written and constructed rather well. The tone of this graphic rendition is somewhat simplistic and could have captured the political banter. With black paint and dry pastels as her means of execution, bold lines, and some very astute use of recurrent motifs retains the starkness of the situation yet accentuates an understated flourish here and there to give us an idea of the extent of Brahmanical machismo and the politics of caste devised and executed by the self-appointed arbiters of divinity.
All in all, A Gardener in the Wasteland: Jotiba Phule's Fight for Liberty gives a wonderful rendition of the Gulamgiri.
Mahatma Jyotirao Govindrao Phule, also known as Jyotiba Phule, was an Indian social activist, thinker, anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra.
This graphic novel aims to bring us the basic polemics of Phule's Gulamgiri in visual form. The usual take on Gulamgiri is that it rips open the mask of Brahmanical tyranny, both in terms of manufacturing of history and using that to justify a number of cold blooded, well-planned and structured injustices meted out to Dalits. However, it is much more than that as it is more a dialogue between Jyotiba and Dhondiba.
A Gardener in the Wasteland: Jotiba Phule's Fight for Liberty is written and constructed rather well. The tone of this graphic rendition is somewhat simplistic and could have captured the political banter. With black paint and dry pastels as her means of execution, bold lines, and some very astute use of recurrent motifs retains the starkness of the situation yet accentuates an understated flourish here and there to give us an idea of the extent of Brahmanical machismo and the politics of caste devised and executed by the self-appointed arbiters of divinity.
All in all, A Gardener in the Wasteland: Jotiba Phule's Fight for Liberty gives a wonderful rendition of the Gulamgiri.
September 13, 2015
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I felt that it was a bit too much focused on merely flipping the power structure. I enjoyed the part where the narrative shows how Phule questioned Brahman culture and practice, but the suggestions for how to change things, I think, were a bit to simplistic. It would have been nice just to share Phule's ideas and let the reader make up for herself what ways forward there might be.
January 3, 2022
The book appealed to me as someone tentatively exploring the vast ocean of graphic novels. Aparajita Ninan marries several modern, folk and classical styles in her monochromatic illustrations. The narrative shifts seamlessly between the present, Jotiba's times, myth and world history.
While the criticism of Brahminism is fair, at times it seemed like the book was trying to invert the pyramid rather than flatten it. In a book that is deeply contemporary more solutions could have been offered. It is a book I'd recommend to someone who loves graphic novels and is looking for a quick reckoner to the caste system.
While the criticism of Brahminism is fair, at times it seemed like the book was trying to invert the pyramid rather than flatten it. In a book that is deeply contemporary more solutions could have been offered. It is a book I'd recommend to someone who loves graphic novels and is looking for a quick reckoner to the caste system.
June 14, 2020
An important book - especially relevant in today's times when being "Hindutav" has never been more powerful and scary.
The take on Vishnu's Avatars is insightful and goes to show that texts we read largely depends on who writes it and without different perspectives we are bound to be looking only at stories and situations that are convenient.
The take on Vishnu's Avatars is insightful and goes to show that texts we read largely depends on who writes it and without different perspectives we are bound to be looking only at stories and situations that are convenient.
October 27, 2020
Quite a strong, refreshing take and a good introduction to Phule. I am more inclined to pick up the primary texts, now.
December 24, 2012
A charming introduction to an important nationalist anti-Brahmin thinker.
May 1, 2024
To be honest, I expected more from this book, and wanted to like it more than I did in the end.
I think the blurbs and descriptions you will find online pretty much summarise the good side of it, so I won't delve into that here. It certainly is an informative read. As you go through it, you come across a scathing tone and strong language - something that may not usually bother you, and you may even have used it yourself if you have anti-caste leanings already - but it seems like an odd misfit here. Sure, Brahminism and the caste system are insidious enough to warrant heated language, and a lot of it may be faithful reproduction of Phule's writings as mentioned in the afterword. But... I don't understand how any of that helps a reader in this case. The book did not need to quote Phule verbatim, and could have gone for a tone that is more accessible. To top it off, some of Phule's rather trivial and ludicrous arguments are included too - again, the afterword openly admits that this is intentional. But... why? These elements seem to bog the reader down in unnecessary convolutions that could perhaps have been avoided to create a narrative that conveys the essence of the Phules' work and presents their strong, compelling arguments that hold so much water to this day. If the little confusing tangents are being included too, then they warrant some sort of context setting for the modern reader, especially a reader who may have come here to educate themselves about an issue they know little about. The narration switches back and forth between depicting Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule's lives in the past, and the writer & artist having chats in the present. The latter could have been used for some much deeper context setting, in my opinion. Some bits from the afterword could have come in there. As they are, the present-day scenes feel sort of unnecessary a lot of the time, they could have been used better.
The art is great, and helps you navigate the narrative smoothly. Page layouts and designs switch from time to time in a nice way, the book is not monotonous, and it holds attention very well.
Ultimately, I think this could have been a great entry point for people who are very new to the idea of the anti-caste movement and critiques of Brahminism. But it stops short of that because of the manner in which it tells the story.
I recognise that there aren't many easy graphic-narrative entry points to this topic, so this book still has my respect for trying to do something new. And I suspect that the views expressed above may not be what the majority think. So I would recommend you give this a read anyway, and decide for yourself.
I think the blurbs and descriptions you will find online pretty much summarise the good side of it, so I won't delve into that here. It certainly is an informative read. As you go through it, you come across a scathing tone and strong language - something that may not usually bother you, and you may even have used it yourself if you have anti-caste leanings already - but it seems like an odd misfit here. Sure, Brahminism and the caste system are insidious enough to warrant heated language, and a lot of it may be faithful reproduction of Phule's writings as mentioned in the afterword. But... I don't understand how any of that helps a reader in this case. The book did not need to quote Phule verbatim, and could have gone for a tone that is more accessible. To top it off, some of Phule's rather trivial and ludicrous arguments are included too - again, the afterword openly admits that this is intentional. But... why? These elements seem to bog the reader down in unnecessary convolutions that could perhaps have been avoided to create a narrative that conveys the essence of the Phules' work and presents their strong, compelling arguments that hold so much water to this day. If the little confusing tangents are being included too, then they warrant some sort of context setting for the modern reader, especially a reader who may have come here to educate themselves about an issue they know little about. The narration switches back and forth between depicting Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule's lives in the past, and the writer & artist having chats in the present. The latter could have been used for some much deeper context setting, in my opinion. Some bits from the afterword could have come in there. As they are, the present-day scenes feel sort of unnecessary a lot of the time, they could have been used better.
The art is great, and helps you navigate the narrative smoothly. Page layouts and designs switch from time to time in a nice way, the book is not monotonous, and it holds attention very well.
Ultimately, I think this could have been a great entry point for people who are very new to the idea of the anti-caste movement and critiques of Brahminism. But it stops short of that because of the manner in which it tells the story.
I recognise that there aren't many easy graphic-narrative entry points to this topic, so this book still has my respect for trying to do something new. And I suspect that the views expressed above may not be what the majority think. So I would recommend you give this a read anyway, and decide for yourself.
May 27, 2025
I had so much fun reading this and that came as a surprise since this is non-fiction and political. But it's just written that well! This is such an important and relevant read for today. The illustration style is stunning and this coupled with a narrative structure that shifts between timelines, make it feel dynamic and timely. I especially loved how it makes Phule more accessible, humorous even, without losing the seriousness of his critique. His roasting abilities are preserved with full weight.
Let's face it, this book will make many people angry and uncomfortable but it is supposed to. Contrary to some discourse on Phule and this book in particular, it is not Anti-Brahmin, it is Anti-Brahmanism. There is a deep difference there. Reading this book will help you understand that but maybe this is not the first step you should take tbh.
Reading this instilled in me a real desire to read Gulamgiri. And that, I think, is the book’s greatest success. It encourages engagement and instils a curiosity to know more. It also does a great job of keeping things relevant to today by diving into contemporary examples which I thoroughly rejoiced.
But my issue with this book lie in the ornamental portrayal of Savitribai. I understand the authors' desire to bring her to the forefront given the seminal work she did in education and social reform. Howver, the depiction falls flat. She seems like a narrator with no real substance and that is sad. The authors acknowledge the lack of source material on her and that makes it more understandable. But personally, the one poem near the end is the only space that I felt like I could hear her own voice and I loved it! The absence of other radical thinkers and reformers was particularly noticeable.
While the book fiercely critiques caste, Brahmanism, and Hindu orthodoxy, it sometimes flattens Phule into a hero. There’s little room for ambiguity or contradiction. I hold a deep admiration for Phule, but also hold a deeper refusal to deify. Social justice movements throughout history and particularly in India often turn reformers/thinkers into gods which paradoxically (not quite if you think about it) is something they themselves warned against. This book occasionally (very occasionally) leans into that ritual, rather than encouraging critique and engagement.
Still, this is a powerful and timely read especially for those interesting in understnding caste, power and history in India. It will take you a day! You might want to finish it earlier but please don't.
Let's face it, this book will make many people angry and uncomfortable but it is supposed to. Contrary to some discourse on Phule and this book in particular, it is not Anti-Brahmin, it is Anti-Brahmanism. There is a deep difference there. Reading this book will help you understand that but maybe this is not the first step you should take tbh.
Reading this instilled in me a real desire to read Gulamgiri. And that, I think, is the book’s greatest success. It encourages engagement and instils a curiosity to know more. It also does a great job of keeping things relevant to today by diving into contemporary examples which I thoroughly rejoiced.
But my issue with this book lie in the ornamental portrayal of Savitribai. I understand the authors' desire to bring her to the forefront given the seminal work she did in education and social reform. Howver, the depiction falls flat. She seems like a narrator with no real substance and that is sad. The authors acknowledge the lack of source material on her and that makes it more understandable. But personally, the one poem near the end is the only space that I felt like I could hear her own voice and I loved it! The absence of other radical thinkers and reformers was particularly noticeable.
While the book fiercely critiques caste, Brahmanism, and Hindu orthodoxy, it sometimes flattens Phule into a hero. There’s little room for ambiguity or contradiction. I hold a deep admiration for Phule, but also hold a deeper refusal to deify. Social justice movements throughout history and particularly in India often turn reformers/thinkers into gods which paradoxically (not quite if you think about it) is something they themselves warned against. This book occasionally (very occasionally) leans into that ritual, rather than encouraging critique and engagement.
Still, this is a powerful and timely read especially for those interesting in understnding caste, power and history in India. It will take you a day! You might want to finish it earlier but please don't.
April 22, 2021
A quality read. I did learn a lot about the myths of brahmanism and realised how wrong I was about the mythical stories.
It turns out that what we were taught in school about Indian mythology was all wrong. That's the reason why we all should consider any story from a different point of view before believing it. And turns out, there's no such thing as fantasy when it comes to mythology but only the brutal and violent history of humankind.
This impressive graphic novel by Srividya Natarajan and Aparajita Ninan, also deals with the sensitivity of casteism. The education of Shudra and Atishudra and the effort that both Savitribai Phule and Jyotiba Phule had put into the matter.
Honestly, this book did change my perspective entirely. I love how the writers put so much effort on the research and finally putting these incredible facts into this book, making every page of the book ever so valuable.
It turns out that what we were taught in school about Indian mythology was all wrong. That's the reason why we all should consider any story from a different point of view before believing it. And turns out, there's no such thing as fantasy when it comes to mythology but only the brutal and violent history of humankind.
This impressive graphic novel by Srividya Natarajan and Aparajita Ninan, also deals with the sensitivity of casteism. The education of Shudra and Atishudra and the effort that both Savitribai Phule and Jyotiba Phule had put into the matter.
Honestly, this book did change my perspective entirely. I love how the writers put so much effort on the research and finally putting these incredible facts into this book, making every page of the book ever so valuable.
July 13, 2024
This is a quick read to introduce readers to some arguments advanced by Jyotiba Phule in his writings, including his Gulamgiri, and to more generally introduce readers to the politics of anti-caste intellectuals and activists. The authors try to blend biography with graphical representation of Phule’s texts. This text, as a result, ends up a bit in the middle.
I think more could have been done to make this a biography rather than a synopsis of other writings. That would have both situated the text more in the particulars of Peshwa-run British India, where Brahmanical tyranny and hegemony was among its most pronounced in south Asian history, and would have provided more color for Phule’s struggle and life (and so too his wife).
At a minimum the text is a nice introduction to Phule and points you in the direction of reading his actual words.
I think more could have been done to make this a biography rather than a synopsis of other writings. That would have both situated the text more in the particulars of Peshwa-run British India, where Brahmanical tyranny and hegemony was among its most pronounced in south Asian history, and would have provided more color for Phule’s struggle and life (and so too his wife).
At a minimum the text is a nice introduction to Phule and points you in the direction of reading his actual words.
March 1, 2020
"A gardener in the wasteland" is a graphic novel representation of the Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai's struggle against the caste system in the 1800s. The book explores the progressive thought and fights against many injustices such as casteism and patriarchy perpetuated by the brahminical class in Hindu society. This is done against the backdrop of the freedom struggle and British administration.
The book is a good insight into how structural factors are keeping the lower caste and women downtrodden, with the lack of education and resources for them to break out of this societal bondage. The artwork is good and the use of facing panel is used very well in the narrative. Probably 3.5 stars
The book is a good insight into how structural factors are keeping the lower caste and women downtrodden, with the lack of education and resources for them to break out of this societal bondage. The artwork is good and the use of facing panel is used very well in the narrative. Probably 3.5 stars
March 30, 2022
Phule’s critique of Brahminical Hindu traditions are scathing and to the point. He does not sugarcoat his experiences to make it polite and palatable. Although every time I read about Jotiba and his contributions to the Indian anti caste movement, I’m automatically left yearning to know about Savitribai. It’s a shame we don’t celebrate her more, considering how she was the pallbearer of the Indian feminist movement. Few have done more than her to educate and emancipate women.
Jotibha’s reinterpretation and logical questioning of Hindu mythology is quite funny. I’ve never read someone being so direct in their attack on these fables as him. I thoroughly enjoyed those. The art is very reminiscent of Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis. I loved it.
Jotibha’s reinterpretation and logical questioning of Hindu mythology is quite funny. I’ve never read someone being so direct in their attack on these fables as him. I thoroughly enjoyed those. The art is very reminiscent of Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis. I loved it.
March 26, 2020
A graphic illustration of some of the components of Gulamgiri, Jyotiba Phule's book comprises 'A Gardener in the Wasteland'. It was interesting to know how Phule's fight against supremacy and inequality resonates even today, and the current happenings have also been touched upon by the author. The graphic illustration sets the theme for the book, and is a delightful read throughout! This has inspired me to read the original Gulamgiri, and I also wish this book was longer!
July 22, 2022
Immediately, what becomes clear is that the book is visually engrossing. It also doesn't hold back its punches, blatantly calling out the injustices meted out to marginalised communities by the Brahmins of India. Studying and understanding historical and systemic forms of oppression is an incredibly difficult task, so I fully appreciate how the authors have made this book accessible to the readers by mixing simple explanations with vivid visuals.
October 2, 2019
Strongly written book on the plight of untouchables and the less know mahatma Jyotiba Phule.
He considered the independence struggle secondary to the struggle of the social equality in India. I agree with that to a certain extent.
4 stars because i expected the book to have more information. I finished it in two - three hours.
He considered the independence struggle secondary to the struggle of the social equality in India. I agree with that to a certain extent.
4 stars because i expected the book to have more information. I finished it in two - three hours.
September 17, 2019
A Gardener in the Wasteland is in simple style sharing the intense and tough ideas about Indian traditions and also contributions of Jyoti Phule and Savitri Phule. I never heard about Savitri Phule till I read this book. Will read more about her. She's inspiring.
January 1, 2024
love you phule ur a real one ❤️
the authors did such a good job framing this story, injecting humor, structuring the arguments, providing relatable and accessible entry points into jotiba and savitribai's lives
the authors did such a good job framing this story, injecting humor, structuring the arguments, providing relatable and accessible entry points into jotiba and savitribai's lives
February 2, 2018
Required reading.
October 6, 2019
A satarical way of putting things as it is, i really liked the arguments about avatars of vishnu, the questions felt very logical to ask. the end some how became serious , but overall a good read
April 30, 2020
The writing is reductive, but the imagery is quite brilliant.
January 28, 2021
Gorgeous, evocative artwork. As someone who's just making a cautious foray into readings on the horrors of the Indian caste system, this is an excellent getaway into Jotiba Phule's original works.
July 28, 2022
A bit rushed, a bit dependent on context ... I'd like to see one about Savitribai, a much more compelling character, next. Please.
November 6, 2022
brilliant. liked the picture with all revolutionaries.
June 22, 2023
wonderfully illustrated and rendered account of jyotiba phule and savitribai phule and their fight to eradicate illiteracy in the face of strong casteist opposition
April 10, 2024
A thought-provoking introduction to the work that Jotiba and Savitribai Phule did in rural Maharashtra.
March 9, 2021
Read it as a part of my academics and I'm speechless. This was such an eye opener. Effortlessly written. This masterpiece gave me such new perspectives about the existing caste inequalities in the country.
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December 19, 2017A must-read about India's caste system, skewed history and the inspiration that were Savitribai and Jyotirao Phule. A must read.
August 4, 2021
A important comic adaptation of Phule's 'Gulamgiri' (Slavery) juxtaposing the modern day situation of caste and the mid-1800s context. Significant book that should be made available in school libraries, and for class discussions.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews