When caste is not a rumour, but a roar... 

Bama has proved once again through her latest short story collection Just One Word that bits of wisdom can be discovered in the most ordinary day-to-day locations such as a school, an office or the village streets. Being a Dalit writer, Bama voices social concerns that stare us in the face. Most people turn a blind eye to social issues while Bama introduces it in a subtle manner in her stories.

Caste discrimination, female infanticide, environmental concern, hypocrisy and poor educational system are the burning embers that lie embedded in these stories. Discrimination is the key word that is evident in every story in the collection. Love and marriage witness caste discrimination in The Grazing Fields; Caste discrimination is fed to children at homes and it stops them from even drinking from taps in Cheri streets in Verdict; Colour discrimination hints at caste in The Woe the Way; Friendships are hollow and caste based in Corpse; Lower caste stops one from even renting a house in Loss; Senior-junior discrimination and caste discrimination is prevalent in Just One Word and Wherever You Look. Kirukkan seems insane to the adults but is sane enough the sing witty songs with a message.

Kaanchaarathan is the tamil equivalent of the Pied Piper of Hamlin and his timely songs are enjoyed by the children. Children are overjoyed by the presence of Kirukkan and Kaanchaarathaan though adults fail to understand them. Five-year-old Durga is wise beyond her years as she has learnt to move on leaving the sorrows of the day behind. Sarada teacher allows the butterfly to fly away signifying freedom for those in bonds similar to the beads that broke free from the maracas in Chandran’s hands. School and home are the two places where children learn lessons of life.

But both teachers and parents alike pass on their prejudices to children not aware of the harm they are causing. Hypocrisy and double standards that adults maintain is the cause for confusion in the young minds. Little boy Raju in Worldly Wisdom is taught the way of the world by the adults in his life. Speaking the truth brings the wrath of his mother Rengamma and the villagers upon him. The boy is confused as his teacher has taught him to tell the truth like Gandhi thatha. Teacher Kamalavalli believes in caste differences but teaches children Subramania Bharathi’s poem on the absence of caste system. But these same children The laughter of children and the pure innocence of childhood is vividly brought out in many of these stories. Children are the nation’s future and the hope of a bright tomorrow and so it’s the responsibility of parents, teachers and elders in the society to nurture them.

In many cases we see that proper development of children is hampered and innocence is corrupted by domestic violence, hypocrisy of elders and by inculcating wrong beliefs in their minds at a tender age. Teachers fail to have practical sessions with demonstrations to make Science classes more interesting and real. The headmaster fails to remove caste prejudices as he is not ready to rock the boat. Teachers fail to practise what they preach and this leaves the children confused. Innocence takes a toll when discrimination creeps in at such an early age and taints their thought process. Children are choked and suffocated by the society they live in which teaches them speak lies. Raju’s mother asks him: “Are they going to mint a special medal for you because you spoke the truth?” Raju asks an innocent question: “My teacher is so educated. How can she be wrong?” But by the end of the tale Raju becomes ‘world wise’ as he realises the teacher lies and steals but asks them not to do so. The stories take place in real time with the names of villages and towns that exist. These rural, semi-urban and urban settings still have social issues and discriminations in existence. Mettucheri, Maattur, Keeranur, Kolathur, Mettuppakkam and Vempadu are villages that still witness caste and gender discrimination. Salem district still witnesses female infanticide.

It is peculiar how a household can afford to take a pregnant woman to hospital by cab if the baby to be born is male but cannot afford the same when the gender changes and is female. Places and practices are still the same as people are yet to change. The authenticity of these places, the issues and social concerns prove that there is a long way to go to evict discriminations despite the nation having attained freedom years ago. Female protagonists adorn the pages of Bama’s short stories. Women are seen to suffer discrimination and abuse and much hardship both in the society they live in as well as within the four walls of their home. Even the simple act such as renting a house to live in becomes a difficult task for a single woman belonging to a lower caste. The opinion of women doesn’t count when it comes to discussions and decisions.

The little child Durga is also not spared as we see that she loses her tooth due to the thrashing she received from her father and this also taught her a valuable lesson on how to move on rather than ponder on bygones. Even a newly born female infant is not spared as discrimination is shown the minute she is born. If woman is really the ‘Eye of the Nation’ why is it plucked out and fed to the dogs, is the resonating sentiment that echoes in Bama’s tales. Bama’s tales abound with pithy sayings: “however high the sparrow tries to fly, it is still only a sparrow”, “each day was a rebirth”, “you are but a plaything, I am but a plaything” and many more such lines. When a child tries to express himself, adults chide him by saying, “not even three leaves out on this seedling, and he’s already defying...” Everyday characters in daily life teach us life lessons and Bama has subtly documented these simple incidents through her stories.