Week 8: Pavitra Naidu

Dalit Symbolism in Architecture 


Statutes of Ambedkar to the Dalit community is a call to - "Educate, Organise, Struggle". There are three dimensions to understand Dalits relationship with states - iconography, meaning and stakes involved and Dalit struggles for imposing their symbols in public space. The spurt of Ambedkar statute in villages is part of a significant movement of national recognition of an Untouchable Leader. He is often disregarded by intellectuals trying to define indigenous for he supported western symbols of suit and tie. But for Dalit villagers it was symbolic of excellence and statesmanship. These statues allowed for a conversation about Ambedkar's truth in Congress , how he was mistreated. His statues always has him with a pen and constitution and in a suit. This is a subliminal message to his Dalit brothers and sisters to stride for education and sophistication. These statues allow Dalits to reclaim public places. These statutes have also been tensions between dominant classes and landless / marginal classes.

When Mayawati started construction of the statue, headlines everywhere were that -"Mayawati Splurges on statutes of DALIT HEROES". Such statutes are not just ornamental, but according to scholars it will help forge a strong Dalit Community that will transcend religious, caste and linguistic differences. By this political move, Mayawati successfully asserted the Dalit identity and brought to front a collective memory and instilled in Dalit community a sense of pride and self-respect.

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