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Haunted by Fire
The book is divided into seven sections. The first section is devoted to the horrors of untouchability. Sivaraman is vocal about the pathetic lives of the Dalits. She writes about the rigid hierarchy among the "Children of Darkness" in Ratnapuri and challenges the reforms in Gandhi’s India. Drawing instances of small resistance by Harijans in a tiny village in Tamil Nadu, she highlights that the downtrodden are now moving away from passivity. She calls for a relevant strategy in social change. The second section explains the rise of the Dravidian movement and the relevance of Periyar’s teachings. It was Periyar who championed the cause of women and challenged Brahmin hegemony. Using historical detail, Sivaraman essays the rise of DMK and highlights its ideology by pointing to the fact that the party was opposed to ‘Baniya Raj’ and this gave an impetus to ‘Dravidian Capitalism.’ Minute observations are made in the essay on the genesis of the ADMK and its wrong assumption that rural India is one homogeneous class. The next section deals with sociological essays on class struggle in Tamil Nadu. The writer covers the otherwise insignificant village of Venmani, where 42 Harijans were burnt alive by the feudal lords. She questions the objectivity of free Press and calls for some hard thinking. Pondering over the role of DMK, the writer feels though pro sub-tenant legislation has been introduced, it has not dealt with the question of agrarian unrest or outside labour problem. The green revolution has increased the chasm between the capitalist farmer and the labour and feudalism is very evident. The fourth section on workers and unions is based on Sivaraman’s own knowledge of trade unions. She points towards the struggle between the workers and the corporations and individual capitalists. Reviewing the industrial policy of the DMK, she says that it has nothing new to add and has followed the Congress’ footsteps. Reporting on the MRF, the writer states the uncomfortable truth that the government only supports the capitalist owning class. The workers of the tea and coffee plantations are a repressed lot. The brown sahibs have replaced the white ones. The struggle of all the workers is a significant indicator of class solidarity and they have now raised their voice against the politics of repression. The fifth section tries to understand the aggressive forces in India. Highlighting the killing of demonstrating youth and policemen violating women, the essays leave many questions unanswered. The sixth section covers the nuances of Tamil Nadu elections and politics. Delving deep into populist governance, party rebellions and Leftist orientations a deep understanding of the working of politics is provided. The last section explores socialist ideas in Castro’s Cuba and questions Gandhi’s emphasis on truth and non-violence. Perhaps Sivaraman’s best essay is "Towards Emancipation" which explores feminism from the socialist perspective. Haunted by Fire is an important contribution to sociology and is an enlightening read. It will prove beneficial to students and academicians alike.
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THE book contains the
essays of Mythily Sivaraman who has written extensively on the
downtrodden, their exploitation and their struggle for emancipation.
Drawing from her experiences with the CPM, the writer elaborates on
socialist ideas and politics. The articles in the book echo her
Leftist ideology. She wields a mean pen and her fiery articles have
appeared in the Economic and Political Weekly, Mainstream and Radical
Review.