Pandit K Karuppan: The Dalit Accent on Kerala Renaissance

Abstract

Renaissance, the great upheaval of Kerala society in the 19^th and the early 20^th century, was mainly responsible for the emergence of Kerala’s modernity that attempted to address questions of class, caste and gender inequities. The thought and deeds of Sree Narayana Guru, Kumara Guru (Poyikayil Appachan) Vaikundar Swamikal, Vagbhatananda, Ayyankali, Sahodaran Ayyappan to name only a few, accentuated the process of Kerala’s modernity. The fight for abolition of untouchability, landlordism, the right for entering temples and public path ways meant for upper castes, the lower castes’ right to education and women’s right to wear clothes and jewellery of their own choice were some of the achievements that enhanced people’s social freedom and economic wellbeing. This article, however, confines itself to the delineation of Dalit presence in Kerala Renaissance with special reference to the contributions made by Pandit K Karuppan, which has received only scant recognition in the echelons of caste and power.