Honour killing survivor remarries parai artiste

The couple later pledged to continue their fight against caste discrimination. A survivor of caste crime, Kausalya’s first marriage with Shankar, a Dalit from Udumalpet, ended in tragedy within eight months. Shankar was murdered in full public view in Udumalpet in Tirupur district by Kausalya’s family on March 13, 2016. The chilling murder, which shook the nation, was captured on a CCTV camera that helped nabbing the offenders.

Her family, hailing from the dominant Thevar caste, had been against Kausalya’s marriage to a Dalit youth. On December 12, 2017, a court in Tirupur awarded death penalty to six persons including her father Chinnasamy, the mastermind in the murder, while her mother was acquitted.

Following Shankar’s murder, Kausalya turned a social activist and crusader against caste killings after surviving a failed suicide attempt. She also teaches ‘parai’ to children at Komaralingam, the native village of Shankar in Tirupur district.

Sakthi, who holds a diploma in ‘Paraiattam’ in Bharathiar University, is aspiring to become an accomplished ‘Parai’ artiste. He also runs ‘Nimirvu Kalaiarangam ‘a band that plays parai.

“This day is just like any other normal day for me. So far, I was alone in my fight against caste discrimination. Now, I will have Sakthi by my side. We will continue our fight for a law to protect inter-caste couples in the country,” she said to the media.

The couple, twinning in black, also vowed to stand by each other in their political and professional journeys. “My marriage would be an encouragement for others who want to re-marry. We will wholeheartedly welcome inter-caste couples and others, who face opposition, to our home,” Kausalya said.

The self-respect marriage was graced by Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam, Kolathur Mani, Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam General Secretary K Ramakrishnan, May 17 Movement Daniel and Evidence Kathir, and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi Deputy General Secretary Vanniyarasu. Shankar’s family attended the ceremony. The newly weds also performed a ‘Parai’ recital and dance.