http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Dalits-turn-a-casteist-word-into-expression-of-pride/articleshow/7490764.cms
Dalits turn a casteist word into expression of pride
I P Singh, TNN, Feb 14, 2011, 05.04am IST
JALANDHAR (PUNJAB): The manifestation of Dalit assertion, especially
in the Adharmi community, has taken an interesting turn with a word -
considered casteist, derogatory and belittling so far, being used with
pride and dignity. On the eve of Guru Ravidass Jayanti, a number of
songs and audio-video eulogizing the word chamaar to inspire the
community, particularly, its youth, are ready for release.
'Over three-dozen albums were released around this theme last year.
And, this year, around half-a-dozen are already out in the market
doing brisk business in the last few weeks,' said HS Preet, editor of
Punjabi music magazine 'Sangeet Darpan.' A decade ago, it would have
been unthinkable for the community to associate connotations of pride
with the word, but call it an inverse assertion of the community in
reaction to the casteist ego of upper castes that members of the
community are wearing the caste on their sleeves now.
How greatly confidence and pride have been imbued into the expression,
can be seen in singer Vijay Momi's album, titled 'Take Over the World'
which has six songs using this word - Chamaar Agge Kaun Khad-da, Munde
haan Chamarran de Asin, Duniya Te Vakhra he tohar Hai Chamaraan Da,
Chamaar Kalla, Maidan vich khar gae munde Gabhroo Chamaaran de and
Asin haan chamaraan de munde.
Singer Anmol Virk's album last year used similar expressions in her
number ' Buri Nazar Na Lage Kade Vi Putt Chamaraan Nu. Singer Pamma
Sunnar has given the title of his recent album 'The fighter Chamaar',
which salutes the community youths especially their spirit of 'pride'
and fighting spirit.
'When people from upper caste would taunt us using this word, our
people would feel insulted and go in for conversions. But, after
spending over two decades in the Dalit movement, I thought that we
should associate a sense of pride with this word, by using it as a
matter of respect within the community itself,' said SS Azad, who
started the trend in his song Ankhi Putt Chamaran de, three years
back, in Ludhiana. 'There was a huge response to the song,' he told
TOI.
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