The book “Peplo Chamar” is an evocative poetry collection written by Shri Umed Gothwal. It is the first Dalit poetry anthology of Rajasthani Literature. The book is an experienced reality of the years-long exploitation of the Chamar caste people. The word “Chamar” is derived from a Sanskrit word charmakara; (directly translates to skin worker). This caste's hereditary occupation involves handling dead animal skin and tanning leather. This book delves into the intricate web of caste in Rajasthan that still persists in modern times.

Rajasthan, the land of royals and resplendent palaces, boasts a rich cultural tapestry woven through centuries of history. However, beneath this grandiose façade lies a deep rooted social system of darkness, inequality and resistance. According to a survey of 2018 by Social Attitudes Research in India (SARI), two-thirds of the population in rural and 50% of the population in urban parts of Rajasthan admitted to practicing untouchability. When it comes to violence against Schedule Castes, Rajasthan is among the top five worst-performing states, accounting for 10.8% of all crimes against them in the country. 

This fascinating book tackles the issue of caste in an incredible way. The book begins with the first sentence by likening Dalits to Gods, marking an early example of defiance against Brahminical norms. During a phone interview with the author, I discovered that the tradition of Dalits not crossing a temple is still observed in the author's hometown of Churu in the Rajgad District. It is believed that if a Dalit's shadow falls on even the staircase of the temple, the village will be cursed with a drought. The author in the book defies the Brahminical norms at various instances. At one such instance he addresses how in the Upper-Caste system, the cow, cow urine (gaumutra) and cow dung can be considered pure, but the Dalit, a living human, is only deserving of weight of caste contempt on its back. The author, belonging to the Chamar caste, resisted Brahminical norms. 

The book's title "Peplo Chamar" holds significant meaning. "Peplo" is the name of a real person who was the author's neighbour. The author was inspired to write this book after observing Peplo's life. Unfortunately, Peplo has since passed away due to an illness that he contracted while working with the skin of dead animals during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The word Peplo, what does that mean? Can a name change one’s fate? Woefully, it does for the Dalits of Rajasthan. “Peplo” is devoid of any meaning. Yes it doesn’t mean anything. This is one example of how the caste system in Rajasthan even reduces one’s name to a mockery. The name is the calling card of Rajasthan, where a man's worth is measured by his moustache and young men mount bikes and steeds in wedding processions. The discriminatory naming system reserves insulting and derogatory names for the Lower-caste, which is an example to how caste plays out in Rajasthan and the social ostracization faced by Dalits.

Caste system in Rajasthan has been going through a radical change for the past few decades. Brahmans, Thakurs and Rajputs are predominantly the upper caste in Rajasthan. However, contrary to their upper caste status, they aren’t the ones who exploit the Lower-castes 

(central to the author’s village). Therein, it is the “Jatt” who push Lower-castes like Peplo to morbid darkness. At various instances in the book, the author writes in a manner as if Peplo is talking to the Upper-caste (Jatt) and expressing his loathe. He expresses his despise to not having access to basic amenities such as water from the common well, education, bricks for building a house etc. 

A part of the book that would stay with me for eternity is attached underneath. It puts a spotlight on the reservation provided to Dalits and how, reservation is regarded as the crutch for the deserving un-deserved Dalits. With an earnest and heartfelt inquiry, Peplo confronts the Upper-caste, pondering why someone with two strong legs would ever yearn for a crutch to lean upon, when their true desire is to transcend the bounds of crawling and embrace the exhilarating stride of running. 

The book “Peplo Chamar” is an evocative poetry collection written by Shri Umed Gothwal. It is the first Dalit poetry anthology of Rajasthani Literature. The book is an experienced reality of the years-long exploitation of the Chamar caste people. The word “Chamar” is derived from the Sanskrit word charmakara; (directly translates to skin worker). This caste's hereditary occupation involves handling dead animal skin and tanning leather. This book delves into the intricate web of caste in Rajasthan that persists in modern times.

Rajasthan, the land of royals and resplendent palaces, boasts a rich cultural tapestry woven through centuries of history. However, beneath this grandiose façade lies a deep-rooted social system of darkness, inequality and resistance. According to a survey of 2018 by Social Attitudes Research in India (SARI), two-thirds of the population in rural and 50% of the population in urban parts of Rajasthan admitted to practising untouchability. When it comes to violence against Schedule Castes, Rajasthan is among the top five worst-performing states, accounting for 10.8% of all crimes against them in the country. 

This fascinating book incredibly tackles the issue of caste. The book begins with the first sentence by likening Dalits to Gods, marking an early example of defiance against Brahminical norms. During a phone interview with the author, I discovered that the tradition of Dalits not crossing a temple is still observed in the author's hometown of Churu in the Rajgad District. It is believed that if a Dalit's shadow falls on even the staircase of the temple, the village will be cursed with drought. The author in the book defies the Brahminical norms in various instances. At one such instance he addresses how in the Upper-Caste system, the cow, cow urine (Gaumutra) and cow dung can be considered pure, but the Dalit, a living human, is only deserving of the weight of caste contempt on its back. The author, belonging to the Chamar caste, resisted Brahminical norms. 

The book's title "Peplo Chamar" holds significant meaning. "Peplo" is the name of a real person who was the author's neighbour. The author was inspired to write this book after observing Peplo's life. Unfortunately, Peplo has since passed away due to an illness that he contracted while working with the skin of dead animals during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The word Peplo, what does that mean? Can a name change one’s fate? Woefully, it does for the Dalits of Rajasthan. “Peplo” is devoid of any meaning. Yes, it doesn’t mean anything. This is one example of how the caste system in Rajasthan even reduces one’s name to a mockery. The name is the calling card of Rajasthan, where a man's worth is measured by his moustache and young men mount bikes and steeds in wedding processions. The discriminatory naming system reserves insulting and derogatory names for the Lower-caste, which is an example of how caste plays out in Rajasthan and the social ostracization faced by Dalits.

The caste system in Rajasthan has been going through a radical change for the past few decades. Brahmans, Thakurs and Rajputs are predominantly the upper caste in Rajasthan. However, contrary to their upper caste status, they aren’t the ones who exploit the Lower-castes. 

(central to the author’s village). Therein, it is the “Jatt” who pushes Lower-castes like Peplo to morbid darkness. At various instances in the book, the author writes in a manner as if Peplo is talking to the Upper-caste (Jatt) and expressing his loathing. He expresses his despise of not having access to basic amenities such as water from the common well, education, bricks for building a house etc. 

A part of the book that would stay with me for eternity is attached underneath. It puts a spotlight on the reservation provided to Dalits and how the reservation is regarded as the crutch for the deserving un-deserved Dalits. With an earnest and heartfelt inquiry, Peplo confronts the Upper-caste, pondering why someone with two strong legs would ever yearn for a crutch to lean upon when their true desire is to transcend the bounds of crawling and embrace the exhilarating stride of running.

During the phone interview, the author made me aware of the reservation and various other benefits provided to the Chamar people. But, that is not all. The percentage of assistance is extremely low which is not sufficient to brush off the dirt of various generations. For instance, only 10 out of 100 people could pan out any success out of this crutch of reservation. This is the reason, why people like Peplo still exist oblivious of humanity reaching Mars, or the population of India skyrocketing to 1.4 Bn, he just lives to fill his stomach and dies in the darkness he was born in. While humanity is trying to set foot in the universe, he is still struggling to make ends meet. 

The author who is a Hindi professor now and the recipient of Sarvoccha Puraskar for one of his other books named “Cha Mani Chamar” reported on how he is still uncomfortable saying his caste out loud, fearing the wolves of Caste radicals tearing the scared lamb of generational insecurity within him (one of the chapters of the book). Even in these modern times saying the word CHAMAR out loud is considered sinful in many remote places of Rajasthan. 

In a breath-taking literary crescendo, the author concludes the book with a poignant poem, beseeching Peplo to step onto the battlefield, all the while instilling in him the profound realization that triumph in war doesn't demand the physical presence of guns, much like Dr Ambedkar who bore none. Instead, it is the incendiary power of beliefs and thoughts that fuels the relentless fire of change, illuminating the path forward with unwavering resolve and unyielding purpose.

Author: Prerna Sharma