The Decathected Dalit Body in Malayalam Cinema

Exploring the Portrayal and Perception of Dalit Bodies in Malayalam Cinema

by Christina Romeo*,

- Published in Journal of Advances and Scholarly Researches in Allied Education, E-ISSN: 2230-7540

Volume 14, Issue No. 1, Oct 2017, Pages 673 - 675 (3)

Published by: Ignited Minds Journals


ABSTRACT

In our country from time immemorial Dalits have been treated and termed as untouchables, impure to touch. In this sense the identity of the Dalit in the mainstream or dominant perspectives is highly associated with hisher body. The visual spectrum is filled with class and caste politics. In the conventional film culture the upper class and the lower class are depicted in the binaries of civilizeduncivilized, masterslave, humansavage etc. More than print or any other popular media, films have wider accessibility and they function as part of the ideological apparatus in forming the spectator’s sensibility.

KEYWORD

Dalit, body, Malayalam cinema, untouchables, identity, mainstream, class, caste politics, film culture, upper class, lower class, civilized, uncivilized, master, slave, human, savage, print media, popular media, accessibility, ideological apparatus, spectator's sensibility