Kallara Sukumaran - Dr. George K Alex, Elisabeth John

Kallara Sukumaran

Sukumaran was born at Kothavarakkunnu, near Kottayam on 4th August 1939. He was an ifluantal Dalit leader of his time and politically orgainezed the Dalit community. He was an ardent follower of Ambedkar. He published as many as seventeen books in Malayalam.

Kallara Sukumaran was a great reformist and contributed extensively to enrich the renaissances tradition of Kerala. His father Markose and mother Mammi ewre Christians, but realizing the caste discrimination which existed in the Christian churches, they abandoned the christian faith. They opted the name Choti and Kozhazhaki respectively. Sukumaran was born as their seventh son. He was educated at local village schools. During his school days he revealed sterling leadership qualities and became the school leader. Even as a student, he actively participated in the work of Dalit special movements. He formed the Peerimadu Takuk Harijans Federation in September 1957.

Sukumaran observed; "Today the Dalit are in the shade of many shelters. A few have attained distinction in society. They keep on the struggle for more opportunities. But forgetting the past, its memories and its message, in fact, hinders the total liberation of the Dalits". Sukumaran asserted, " the Datits should proud of themselves and proudly re-affirm their own culture". He was the most popular and influential leader after Ayyankali. He fought against the caste notions as a rationalist and his crusade, which been as a ripple, gradually extended nationwide. He had a contempt of Hinduism and its tenets on caste, His poem Indhanappura declares "it is shameful to praise the dump god who lives in a mansion.

Sukumaran used Marxian social analysis as a tool to understand caste issues, even though, he was not a hard - core Marxist. His most successful intervention was the struggle to have the dining hall of Guruvayoor temple opened to untouchables. He organised the Dalit workers and struggled to protect their rights. He made no discrimination between Christian and Hindus. Sukumaran assumed a major roll in the foundation of the Indian Federation. later he joined Bahujan (BSP)

Sukumaran Was a prolific writer, who contributed immensely to Dalit literature. He authored seventeen books, was a poet, orator and philosopher. His books are used as textbooks for Dalit activists. "Kerala Harijan Federation- What? Why?", a booklet by Sukumaran, involved the need for an organization and urged the spirit of unity among Dalits. "The Political Economy of Dalits  Liberation" (Vimochanathinte Ardhastram) is a guild for social activists.

Books: Vimochanathinte Ardhasastram, Daridra Vargavum Rashtriyavum, Ayithochadanam Annum Innum, Harijan Prastanangalil Oru AbhiVeekshanam, Kerala Harijan Federation- Enthu, Enthinu? Marditharude Mochanam Indial, Brahmanism- Dr. Ambedkarude Veekshanathil, Jathy Oru Abhicharam. (all are essays) Indhanappura (poems)

Spouse: C Thankamma. Sons: saratchandran, Saseendran. Kallara Sukumaran expired on 12 October 1996.