Sculptors honour 26 unsung Dalit activists with stone portraits

Activists like Veerammal, Vanjinagaram Kandan and Cuddalore Pandian had fought for the rights of the oppressed at different periods of time from 1890 to 1990. “I have compiled a list of 26 such activists for making their statues,” said historian Stalin Rajangam.

In the 1950s, Veerammal, belonging to Tiruchirapalli, constructed a school for dalit girls. Hailing from Madurai, Vanjinagaram Kandan, during the 1980s, fought for the rights of dalits to access water. While Tirunelveli’s Ponnusamy fought for temple entry, Pandian sought the right to refuse to play the Parai (drum) when demanded by dominant castes, Rajangam said. 

“Kandan, Ponnusamy and Pandian - all were murdered for fighting for the cause. There are a lot of others who contributed during the century, but these 26 names had enough documents and photographs available,” Rajangam said.

Former Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai, Principal, G Chandrasekaran, who is leading the team of sculptors, said Mahatma Gandhi is an icon. However, there were also a lot of people who worked on the ground but were not as recognised as him, he said. “This is an attempt to appreciate the contributions made by such unsung heroes,” he added.

An initiative of film director Pa Ranjith’s ‘Neelam Panbaattu Maiam’ (Neelam Cultural Centre), the 26 statues would be displayed at a three-day event - Vaanam Arts Festival-  happening in Chennai from December 29 to 31.