Rewriting History: Pa. Ranjith's Cinematic Revolution in 'Thangalaan'
In the highly anticipated film 'Thangalaan,' acclaimed director Pa. Ranjith embarks on a cinematic journey that promises to rewrite and reclaim Dalit history. Set against the backdrop of the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in Karnataka, this epic tale delves into the untold stories of the Dalits who toiled and sacrificed to build this mining empire during the British colonial era.Challenging Dominant Narratives
For far too long, the contributions and struggles of Dalits have been marginalized or erased from mainstream historical narratives. 'Thangalaan' aims to challenge this status quo by placing Dalit experiences at the center of the story. Through the character of Thangalaan, played by the versatile Vikram, the film explores the complexities of Dalit-British relations during the colonial period."My contention is that all documentary evidence presented to write history is on shaky ground," says Thamizh Prabha, the screenplay and dialogue writer of 'Thangalaan.' "Dalits never had the opportunity to turn their myths and stories into 'history'." It is this gap that Ranjith seeks to fill with his bold and imaginative storytelling.Reclaiming Agency and Dignity
One of the key themes in 'Thangalaan' is the reclamation of Dalit agency and dignity. Rather than portraying the Dalit migrants to KGF as mere victims of poverty and oppression, the film aims to show them as people who struggled to sustain and reclaim their dignity in the face of adversity."Ranjith fictionalises pieces of history to give agency to Dalits," explains historian Stalin Rajangam. "Instead of showing Dalit people as those who went to KGF because they were dirt poor, without food and water, and presenting an account where the film sympathises with their sorry plight, Ranjith wants to show us that Dalits lived a dignified life and that they struggled to sustain and reclaim it."
Magical Realism and Historical Complexities
'Thangalaan' employs magical realism to convey the harsh realities of caste oppression and the exploitation of Dalits in the KGF mines. In one powerful scene, the blood of the oppressed turns into gold, a metaphor for the wealth extracted from their labor and suffering."The gold mined by 'our people', represented by Thangalaan, was sent to Britain — 8 lakh kg of it," writes The News Minute. "During World War II, this gold was sold by the British to the United States for weapons. The British maintained their rule in India with the use of rifles. Labourers who thought the gold that they had mined was theirs, and tried to take it with them, were shot by the British with rifles bought with that same gold."Reclaiming Buddhist Heritage
'Thangalaan' also delves into the historical relationship between Dalits and Buddhism. The decapitated Buddha statue, a powerful symbol of the suppression of Buddhism in India, takes on new meaning when Thangalaan's son, Ashoka, reattaches the head. This act symbolizes the potential revival of Buddhism and the reclamation of a philosophical tradition that once challenged the foundations of the caste system.Conclusion
Pa. Ranjith's 'Thangalaan' is more than just a film; it is a cultural and political statement. By rewriting and reclaiming Dalit history, Ranjith is not only validating the experiences of marginalized communities but also challenging the dominant narratives that have long relegated them to the margins of society and history. As the film hits theaters, it is a testament to the power of storytelling to shape public discourse and foster a more inclusive understanding of our shared past.Tamizh Prabha, the screenplay and dialogue writer of ‘Thangalaan,’ and historian Stalin Rajangam weigh in on how the Vikram-starrer will be Pa. Ranjith’s attempt to go further back and reclaim the history of Dalits, and give them agency in history yet again
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