An Ethnographic Study of Aruntatiyar of Tamil Nadu

ABOUT THE BOOK: Why remembering unsung Dalit Heroes matters. It matters because Dalits matter. On it’s 74th Independence Day this year, we look back at those Dalit men and women whose contributions to the Nationalist movement against the imperial exploitation is seldom acknowledged due to the multiple gaps in documentation in history as well as in contemporary times. While caste and ethnic hierarchies have existed before, during, and after the colonial rule, the Nationalist Movement for an Independent India had witnessed a significant amount of participation from its caste and ethnic minorities. The historical and cultural narratives of India have failed to acknowledge the contributions of the women from the margins, as they are either androcentric in approach or reflective of the dominant castes. Remembering unsung Dalit women heroes and their stories of struggle and bravery from across the centuries will broaden these narratives and help address the institutionalized discrimination Dalit women have faced for centuries. Dalits from Tamil Nadu have made immense contribution and sacrifice to the liberation of our country. This book has meticulously and magnificently captured the significant roles played by some of the men and women valiant warriors during the British raj in India.