Ambedkar in a savarna mundu? Why Babasaheb’s clothes matter

Kalyani, K (2022) Ambedkar in a savarna mundu? Why Babasaheb’s clothes matter. The Print.

Text Download (265kB)

Abstract

When writer Unni R’s book Malayali Memorial featured Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar in an outfit associated with the ‘upper’ caste Nair community, it sparked off a debate. The white shirt, mundu and shawl with golden borders used on the cover is textbook ‘Savarna attire’. Many argued if this is appropriating Ambedkar’s identity. They questioned the limits to ‘creative’ freedom, and debated the meaning and symbolism of a particular attire to a community.

Item Type:	Newspaper Article
Authors:	Kalyani, K
Document Language:	Language English
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Ambedkar, Clothing, Savarna
Subjects:	Social sciences > Social problems & services > Other social problems and services
Divisions:	Azim Premji University - Bengaluru > School of Arts and Sciences
Full Text Status:	Public
Related URLs:	Publisher
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/5505
Publisher URL:

Actions (login required)

View Item