Years ago during a visit to America, filmmaker Pa. Ranjith visited the Smithsonian National Museum of African American history and culture and was shocked. Under a roof, the museum not only captured racial injustice, but also documented and observed the culture, lifestyle and travel of this population for centuries.
Inspired, filmmaker Chennai returned. He decided that it was time that we celebrate the birthday of revolutionary Indian leader BR Ambedkar (on 14 April) with a long time of one month of Dalit identity and aesthetics during the month of Dalit History. A film festival was planned, but was eventually snatched to become something big. “When we started, the intention never seemed like a ‘separate’ festival. It was to ensure that the lives of Dalit people are displayed at the mainstream stages – just beyond the harassment lens,” Vasugi Bhaskar, Editor, called Neelam Prakashan.
In its fifth edition, the festival closes with the inauguration at Neelam Books, Egmore on 1 April, where an exhibition will document the contribution of regional Tamil Dalit leaders. “Many times, these leaders shape cultural movements and affect the entire districts. However, they have not been given because of them. We wanted to document their life and heritage,” Vasugi says.
After this, in the PK Rosy Film Festival, Saligramam, Saligramam from 2 to 6 April, where the films of British film director Steve Mcquin (who directed those who have directed 12 years a Slave) And Senegal Director Osmman Semban (Behind the Seminal Black girl), Will be investigated. “We choose films that also show contradictory, including subjects such as feminism and margins,” they say. The cursion will also include a two -day documentary and short film festival between April 4 and 6.
The much -awaited Verchol literary festival in Mutamiz Pervai will begin with one thing on the current influence of the parties in the ‘rights’ of the political spectrum by writer and historian Ramchandra Guha. He will also talk about the role of BR Ambedkar. Writers who write in five languages ​​will participate in 48 panel discussions in two days between 12 and 13 April. A writer will receive the Verchol Dalit literary award. In 2024, Tamil writer Bama behind the iconic novel KarukuWon the award.
Vasugi says, “Our theater plays actually do well.
This will be followed by Karve Dalit Arts and Aesthetic Exhibition and NIM photo exhibition at Lalit Kala Academy between 23 April and 29 April.
Today, when mainstream film directors like Gautam Vasudev Menon say that the struggles of the Dalit community are in the past, Vasugi Bhaskar says that it becomes important to host the festival. “There is a difference to a person who persecuted someone to say ‘he eats whatever he wants’, and he does justice to do justice in food. When the common man understands this need of justice and stands with oppressed, a cultural transition happens. It is necessary. We need to see history again. It is better than art.”
For more information, FolloW. @Vaanam_Art_festatic on Instagram.
Published – March 27, 2025 10:24 AM IST
