PREFACE
Dalits, considered to be the lowest in the hierarchical Indian caste system and
subjected to systemic oppression, are a subaltern community who experience
the trauma of persecution in ways that are unique due to the complex social,
cultural, political, and economic environment prevailing in India. Dalit studies
offers a window of insight into their lives and how the society treats them.
Society is reflected in movies and in turn movies influence society by changes
in representations, challenging audience's morals and transforming viewers'
opinions. The project titled 'An Evaluation of Dalit Representation in Tamil
Cinema- Analysing Pariyerum Perumal and Manusangada' is aimed at
analysing the concept of Dalit identity and discrimination faced by the lower
caste people and providing a theoretical background of analysing the films
Pariyerum Perumal and Manusangada.
The project consists of four chapters, each with a special focus on a theme or a concept. The first chapter, “Introduction”, discusses the aim and objective of the study. The second chapter, “Dalit Studies", discusses in detail the concept used for this study and gives an idea about the theoretical approach with which this project is analysed. The third chapter, "Caste oppression shown in Pariyerum Perumal and Manusangada”, focuses on the detailed analysis of the films Pariyerum Perumal and Manusangada and identifies the key concepts in both. The fourth chapter, “Conclusion”, winds up the project and exhibits the findings that are derived.
