Retired IAS officer and writer Sivakami receives Verchol Dalit Literary Award insidelooknews

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Retired IAS officer, writer and politician, P. Sivakami on Sunday received the Verchol Dalit Literary Award and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh from Neelam Cultural Centre, founded by filmmaker Pa. Ranjith.

Speaking at the award presentation event here, Ms. Sivakami said the award was important not because it was an honour but because it threw a challenge. “This is about being in the mainstream. We are serious thinkers who want to change society. We are not the ones on the periphery. Ten years ago, we couldn’t see a gathering like this. But today, I feel so happy seeing so many Dalit poets. Creating a space like this will nurture others,” she said.

Ms. Sivakami said Dalit literature had often triggered several controversies. “I used to think that I am sitting in a room and writing a story with beautiful aesthetics. But, I am actually fighting with so many people whose faces I don’t know. I have made many enemies,” she said.

“Dalit literature has created a fear in them [caste Hindus]… about their domination, aesthetics, their pass-time. It is time they understood that we are not threatening them, but that we are claiming our rights,” she added. She also spoke about the advantages of writing in English.

Filmmaker Pa. Ranjith said Ms. Sivakami was a writer, had been in positions of power, and had even made a movie. “She has been involved in so many fields, but she has always asserted her Dalit identity in public. It is not an easy choice… Doing so will bring only slander rather than criticism and appreciation. Her work instills a lot of hope,” he said.

Mr. Ranjith underlined that Scheduled Caste government officials have often failed the interests of the community. “There is a culture of fear among government officials… the kind of work done by her is commendable. Many officials tell me in private that I am doing a great work, but I tell them to use their power and do something. Not just the government officials, but even those who have used reservations in political representation find it difficult to speak for Dalits,” he said.