Apologetically: The Scar

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 It's been a long that I have not written any stuff on my blog- an apology.


   It is something in and around we all have experienced the term called 'Discrimination'- Caste, Class  Gender and so on. The Scar is an autobiography written in Tamil as Vadu and translated into English as The Scar.

K A.Gunasekaran naturally portrays his experience of belonging to a lower caste called Parayar. After reading him I felt he is an amalgamation of three religions- Islam, Christianity and Hindu. His tale of caste oppression and prejudices made him a strong human being. He narrates the milieu in Elayankudi- where he and his family lived and has not found the caste distinctions. Being a teacher his father and an educated mother always emphasized on education irrespective of their poverty.His father was a progressive thinker, that's why his parents never showed any interest in God, temples, and rituals. Because of them, he never came under the influence of faith.

But the surrounding villages were driven by caste where one is known by his/her caste affiliations. As the narration develops Gunasekaran depicts how he negotiated differently with three religious communities. Importantly, after reading The Scar- I found that the Indian villages are doubly caste-conscious and cruel.

This autobiography highlights the stress and concern of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on education. Gunasekaran and his Dalit community believed that education is the only tool for their emancipation. 

On one hand, it is written in a very simple and colloquial style to capture the innocence and cruelty prevalent in villages and on the other vehemently stresses on education is a must to overcome the poverty and silt of caste.

I believe one must read literature of all sorts to restore oneself as human.

24/11/2022


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