Peasants Media Literature
Dr. V. Sivadasan A leading Left activist with an eventful political career, marked by the mass struggles that he had led from his student days. A former national president of SFI, he was noted for his extensive political interventions, leading agitations, addressing vital socio-economic and political issues. On several occasions, the protest actions have led to his arrest and incarceration in various prisons across the country, including Tihar. He is a notable presence in the public sphere of Kerala through his political and academic interventions and has several articles and writings to his credit in notable journals and newspapers of English and Malayalam. He has done his doctoral research on the historical role played by media and literature in the agrarian transformation witnessed by the Kerala society for which he was awarded Ph.D by the Kannur University. He has successfully completed his post doctoral research from Jawaharlal Nehru University on the Dalit representation in education sector jobs in Kerala focusing on aspects of exclusion and discrimination. He is a member of the Kerala State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and he is functioning as the Director (Independent) of the Kerala State Electricity Board Ltd.
BOOKS DC PREFACE
History involves an attempt to make sense of the past. It comprises the effort to make sense of the process of advancement of human societies and the dynamics of the interaction of various forces that contribute to the human progress any narration of the past, or for that matter, of the present cannot escape the element of subjectivity the interaction of values and facts is unavoidable in any construction of history the most suitable approach to history is a matter of intense unsettled debate in historiography but the inability of any social theorist to remain value free is almost taken for granted in contemporary historiography.
The events get moulded into history through the medium of historical interpretation which involves an unavoidable element of subjectivity. But sanctioning the role whichBOOKS subjectivity plays should not be a carte blanche for relativism. It should not lead one to deny the existence of an objective material truth which is available to us only through the medium of interpretation. At the same time, the search for objective truthDC should not blind us from being aware of the subjectivity of one’s interpretation. That awareness commands candidness on the part of the historian to remain open ended in his intellectual pursuits, to be receptive to the new and varied facts, different and unconventional interpretations, stronger and more compelling logic.But that open endedness should not lead to relativism and the failure to strive for change. A historian cannot afford the luxury of relaxing in the twilight of varied interpretations. It is his/
9 her duty to fight the darkness with the light of interpretation though with an openness to the possibility of being false.
It follows that a historian while conscious of his/her limitations cannot escape from the duty of making his intellectual pursuit a weapon for social change; change from bad to good or from good to better. The urge for change can come only if his subjectivity is inclined to the cause of the least privileged in a society or only if he values equality and social justice as the axiomatic principle of his intellectual pursuit. Equality or inequality can exist only in a concrete objective material context. The progress of the society, the large scale changes which it is undergoing is not obviously the result of individual efforts. The changes are effected by collectivities and they do affect the collectivities. Thus in the myriad things which occur in day to day life, the historian seeks and sees the role of collectivities. But there are collectivities and collectivities, interacting, conflicting and intertwining. In the course of the process of interpreting the basic nature of the social order, the historian has to take a position and the dilemma of the historian will be which collectivity should be privilegedBOOKS in order to explain the social order.
In the various approaches to history, Marxism was noted for its emphasis on the role of the collectivity formed on economic basis; i.e. Class and itsDC privileging of the mode of production as the key force to social change. The world is divided into haves and have- nots, in concrete terms the bourgeoisie which had the ownership of the means of production and the proletariat which has nothing but its labour to sell. The capitalist economy surviving on surplus extraction forms the base while other social spheres like politics and culture form the superstructure, and the base is given an explanatory privilege over the superstructure.
10 CHAPTER -- III PRINT MEDIA AND THE SOCIO-POLITICAL AWAKENING
Media serves the vital function of communication in human societies. It can play a crucial role in communicating the changes which occur across the world to the masses.Social transformation is impossible without communication. The nature and development of the technologies of communication often denote the stage of development achieved by the human society of a particular era. The development of print media was an epoch making event in human history. In Kerala, it has changed the history of its society beyond recognition and about an unprecedented degree of changes. The role which print media plays in the socio-political awakening process of the state can hardly be overemphasized. The chapter discusses the history of Malayalam media and the efforts taken by the westerners and the IndianBOOKS pioneers. THE HISTORY OF MALAYALAM MEDIA The advent of mass media began in Kerala with the establishment of the printingDC press. The printing press and the technological advances helped the publication of a number of periodicals and newspapers. The history of Malayalam media is dotted with the stories of innumerable newspapers coming to the stage and disappearing. There have been a mind-boggling number of publications out of which only a few have survived till this date. But all of them have made veritable contributions to the progress of history. Most of them had their own political agenda. Some were visibly anti-establishment and intended to bring in social change.
64 Print media and the socio-political awakening
Some were intended to be entertainers of the masses or providers of information. But there were strong ideological divisions amongst them.
The print media was employed as a tool of political mobilization. The newspapers of the bourgeoisie and working class and the peasantry helped their own classes in respectively achieving their political goals by galvanizing the masses to their respective causes. It has been observed that the print media has done yeoman service to the growth of radical democratic movements in the state. Many of the newspapers which were started initially by social reformers had to face state repression in their fight for civil rights and freedom of speech and expression.187
EFFORTS OF THE WESTERNERS The pioneers of newspaper publishing were the missionaries of Kerala who have brought out newspapers as part of their religious activities. The newspaper188 from the missionaries was started by Dr. Herman Gundert which was named as Rajya Samacharam in June 1847 from Illikunnu near BOOKSTellicherry. The paper was published till December 1850 and it had forty-two issues all together189. The next journal on the line was Paschimodayam, which came out in October, 1847, Fr.MullerDC was its editor. It continued to be published until August 1851. Sathyanada Kahalam was another journal which started its publication from Kunammavu, Ernakulum in
187 Bhragava, G.S. The Press in India an Overview, p.10, National Book Trust, New Delhi, 2005. 188 The Press commission report of 1954 reported that Vikhana Nikshepam in 1840 is the first news paper in kerala. Kerala Charitram, p.771, Vol. II, Cochin, 1974, also see Natarajan, J., History of Indian Journalism, p.76. Publication Division, Government of India, New Delhi, 2000. 189 Thomas M V, Bharatheeya Pathra Charitram(Mal.), p.190, State Institute of languages, Kerala, Thiruvanathapuram , 2005.
65 CHAPTER -- IV LITERATURE AND AGRARIAN QUESTION
The present chapter discusses in detail the role of literature and media in representing the agrarian problems of Kerala. The growth of Malayalam literature had its root in the rapid social changes that had began to take place.Human agency has a definite role in influencing social change and the writers through thoughtful interventions can play a strategic role in aiding the forces of change in a society. In this aspect, Kerala witnessed a conscious literary effort on the part of a great number of writers in Kerala.Many of them became the stalwarts of Malayalam literature. There were heated debates in the public sphere about the propriety of litterateurs dabbling in politics. Whatever be the school various litterateurs represented, none of them could ignore the presence of the social upheavals taking place aroundBOOKS them. MALAYALAM LITERATURE AND SOCIETY The period from 1934 to 1971, was one among the most turbulent periods of the socialDC history of Kerala. The strengthening of the national movement, the formation of the Congress Socialist Party, the emergence of the peasant movement, the growth of the Communist ideology and forces of social reform etc. produced a period of intense social change. The agrarian movement of Kerala, in the phase of anti feudal struggles stretching from 1934 to 1971, exerted a great influence upon the cultural sphere of Kerala society. The movements which worked as the fundamental forces of social change had a dialectical relationship with the efforts in Malayalam literature.
127 Peasants Media Literature
Literature is organically linked to human life. Human beings conveyed their emotions, hopes, pains and troubles through the medium of literature. From time immemorial, the songs which were sung by the people reflected their emotions and conditions of life. Malayalam literature has a rich history. The evolution of Malayalam as an independent language distinct from Tamil is marked by various literary works through the centuries. Literary movements and genres likePattu Prasthanam, Manipravalam, Champoos, Attakathas of Kathakali and Thullal poems reflected the growth of Malayalam literature.360
Apart from these classic works by erudite scholars and elites, there were many songs and literary forms created by the common people. These were theVadakkan Pattukal and the Thekkan Pattukal which elaborated upon the heroic deeds of ancient warriors and the Thottam paatu, Padayanippattu and such songs associated with rituals which were sung during performances.361
There were a large number of folk songs which were sung by the labourers in the paddy fieldsBOOKS and coconut groves of Kerala. They were the creation of the toiling sections of the population who were denied formal education and were tied to the land for their living. These songs naturally were the reflections of sad conditions of their every day life.TheDC efforts of Thunchath Ezhuthachan and Kunchan Nambiar greatly helped in refining the language and taking it to the people. The period after Kunchan Nambiar, witnessed a lull in the literary production in Kerala.362
360 Panicker, K. Ayyappa. A Short History of Malayalam Literature, p.18, Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, 2007. 361 Ibid. 362 Paramesawarapillai, Erumeli, Malayalasahityam Kalakhattangaliloode (Mal.), p.258, Prathibha books , Mavelikkara, 2006.
128 CHAPTER -- V SUMMING UP
The study has tried to assess and analyse the contribution of the media and literature in consolidating and advancing the struggle of the peasantry.
The role played by the media in producing a counter hegemonic discourse was commendable. The news reporting served the purpose of inspiring the toiling peasants by informing them about what could be achieved through collective action.
Prabhatham and later Deshabhimani the organs of the Congress Soicialist Party and Communist Party respectively, extended consistent support to the struggling peasantry. Both these newspapers went beyond the role of a mere supplier of information to the peasants. Unlike the bourgeois media, they played an active role in catalyzing societal transformation.BOOKS They served not only as platforms to announce the decisions of the political elite but also as media to give voice to the tillers of the soil. Prabhatham and Deshabhimani openedDC channels for the peasants to air their views and grievances.
The approach of Prabhatham to capital accumulation and revenue collection is noteworthy. It attempted to ensure maximum public participation. The class perspective of the paper was evident in the designation of separate pages for the news regarding the working class and the news related to the peasantry. It reserved two pages titled Karshaka Lokam exclusively for publishing the news affecting
161 Peasants Media Literature the peasants. The headlines of Prabhatham were not passive declarations.The very tenor and tone of the headlines were that of imperetaives prompting political action. There were regular articles which gave information about acts and bills. Whenever new bills and acts came up Prabhatham reported them in detail and carried articles which could convey the crux of such legislations and their social impact to the peasantry.
Secularism was an enduring value and there was an attempt to dissect incidents critically going to their root so that their socio- economic base is revealed. The reports by Prabhatham on incidents which could have acquired a communal colour are notable for the assiduous handling with a staunch secular outlook.
One of the most significant aspects ofPrabhatham is its emphasis on building up worker peasant unity. Prabhatham in its discourses always strove to promote the cause of unity of working class and peasantry. Notable is the support extended to the struggle of the agrestic slaves by the Karshaka Sangham, thus reinforcing the peasant and agricultural workers unity against the land lord. It can be seen that the Prabhatham carriedBOOKS the details about the unionization happening among workers of various industries, teachers and others. It also took note of the organisation of students and youths and most importantly,DC it never missed to emphasize their role in advancing the cause of the peasantry by assisting their struggles.
The paper actively supported the attempts of social reform. The reports served the cause of enlightening the peasants. It viewed the local struggles as part of a larger struggle launched across India. While the paper took pains to publish news across the country, it also gave space to international events. Prabhatham carried enthusing coverage about the struggles of workers and peasants across the
162 NEWS PAPERS
1. Al-Ameen 31. Malayali 2. Bhaje Keralam 32. Mathrubhumi 3. Bhajee Bharatham 33. Mathrubhumi Illustrated weekly 4. Chandrika 34. Mitavadi 5. Deenabandhu 35. Nasrani Deepika 6. Deepam 36. Navajeevan 7. Desabhimani 37. Navasakthi 8. Janayugom 38. Navayugam(Calicut) 9. Janmi 39. Navayugam 10. Kaahalam (Thiruvanandhapuram) 11. Kathavadini 40. Paschima Tharaka 12. Kavana Kaumudi 41. Paschimodayam, 13. Kerala Bhushanam 42. Pauradhavani 14. Kerala Chandrika 43. Prabatham 15. Kerala Chinthamani. 44. Prabhatham (Quilon) 16. Kerala Darpanam 45. Prabodhakan 17. Kerala Dasan BOOKS46. Prathibha 18. Kerala Deepakam 47. Sahodaran 19. Kerala Kesari 48. Sakthi 20. Kerala Kumudi 49. Samadarsi 21. Kerala MithramDC 50. Sanghistavadi 22. Kerala Sanchari 51. Saraswathy 23. Keraliya Suguna Bodhini 52. Sathyanada Kahalam 24. Kesari 53. Swadeshabhimani 25. Lokamanyan 54. Swarat 26. Madras Standard 55. Thozhilali 27. Mahatma 56. Velakkaran 28. Malayala Manorama 57. Vivekodayam 29. Malayala Rajyam 58. Yuktivadi 30. Malayalamithram 59. Yuva Bharatham
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