Talk summarized by – Nioshi

‘A Writer with a Vision’

• In today’s age, Savarnas claim to have attempted to ‘make Ambedkar global’ by publishing or writing about him. But they fail to realize is that Ambedkar was always global.
• We know Ambedkar as the leader of the social and political movement of our country. But what many do not know is his deep interest in literature. Growing up as a boy, he adapted many plays, such as Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’ into Marathi plays. Ambedkar had the understanding that literature has a deep connection with one’s life.
• Ambedkar is a writer and a philosopher with a vision. This vision was very necessary, and a basis for what we today call ‘Dalit Literature’. 

Literary movement and Rise of Dalit Panther

• Even after Ambedkar led the conversion of untouchables to Buddhism, they were continued to be seen as lower castes by Savarnas and atrocities against them continued. 
• Ambedkar told Shankarrao Kharat, the editor of Prabhuddha Bharat that the stories of ‘our communities’ are important and must be released across the community. By ‘our people’ he specifically meant stories of untouchables. This is because the experiences of untouchables are so complex that they can only be explained through writing.
•  Shankarrao Kharat wrote many such pieces and hence founded the basis of Dalit Literature. 
• Dalit Panther emerged as a radical organic response to atrocities experienced by untouchables. Since some of the people who were resisting were also artists, they made sure to bring the rage in their art and writings.
•  Dalit Panthers, who also attempted to fight through the means of literature, often expressed their anxieties in their writings. Their literature casted light on people who were put into darkness by society.
• One of the critiques of Dalit writings that Brahmins have is that it is very ‘rough’ in nature, and not well written. This is not a criticism, but a reaction that comes from hatred. 

Making Babasaheb’s Literary Legacy Global

• When we say we want to carry Babasaheb’s legacy today, we must remember that it cannot be only done by organized religion, but more so by organized literature
• As a human society, we connect with each other through the form of languages. So then the question arises, how do we connect without communication? When we make Ambedkar global, there must be a major emphasis on translation.
• The translation is essential for both an inter-state, and an international audience. Stories must be made available from one language to another. A movement of people who are dedicated to the politics of language and translation is important. Language and translation can radically move Ambedkar’s movement. 
• Today we read and know black writers and poets. But how many black people know of Dalit writers? One of the reasons for this was the lack of means of producing literature
• The Ambedkar community must identify, nourish, and produce literature and focus on translating it. When a majority of the community achieves this goal, then liberation will be felt.