Lens of Equality – சமத்துவத்தின் பார்வை
The campaign activity titled “Lens of Equality” was conceptualized and organized to shed light on the complex narratives of caste-based oppression, resistance, and cultural assertion. This exhibition brought together a powerful curation of visual stories that explored the lived experiences of marginalized communities and the ongoing struggles against caste- based discrimination.
The exhibition featured the works of both local and international artists, offering a rich and diverse range of perspectives. A significant aspect of the exhibition was the inclusion of archival image collections, which provided historical context and visual continuity to the theme. These archival materials helped to draw connections between past injustices and the present-day anti-caste movements, fostering a deeper understanding of social justice and equality.
The event was held at the Government Museum, Madurai, and spanned a period of two months, from May 5, 2025, to June 30, 2025. It attracted widespread attention and participation from students, scholars, artists, activists, and the general public.
The exhibition was jointly curated by Prof. J. Balasubramaniam from Madurai Kamaraj University and Dr. M. Maruthu Pandiyan, Curator of the Government Museum, Madurai. Their collaborative efforts ensured a thoughtful and impactful presentation of themes, combining academic insight with curatorial expertise.
Respected Corporation Commissioner of Madurai Ms.Chithra Vijayan, IAS has inaugurated the Photo Exhibition. Over the course of the exhibition, a total of 17,457 individuals visited the venue, reflecting the strong public engagement and relevance of the campaign in today’s social context.
Game Activity – Installation of Paramapatham
A creative highlight of the campaign was the mega-sized “Paramapatham” board game, a socially themed adaptation of the traditional snakes and ladders.
In this version, the ladders symbolized actions promoting equality such as standing up against discrimination, helping peers from marginalized backgrounds, or spreading inclusive values. In contrast, the snakes represented discriminatory practices, including caste-based insults, exclusion, and spreading hatred.
Children from nearby schools visiting the Gandhi Museum and Government Museum of Madurai enthusiastically participated, rolling giant dice and moving across the life-sized board. Interestingly, many adults joined in spontaneously, sparking intergenerational conversations about equality.
This interactive activity succeeded in simplifying complex social messages for children while keeping the atmosphere light-hearted and educational. Coordinators Ms. Kavinmalar and Mr. Vijayanand observed how children themselves began explaining the game’s messages to their peers, making the exercise a model for playful awareness.
Mr.Saranraj, a sculpture artist has designed the board for the play activity.Equality Walk
On 6th May, a unique “Equality Walk” was organized, bringing together students from multiple colleges in Madurai. The walk took participants to 10 historically significant sites associated with leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Thanthai Periyar, and Mahatma Gandhi.
At each stop, facilitators narrated historical events:- Dr. Ambedkar’s speeches in Madurai calling for annihilation of caste.
- Periyar’s fiery campaigns for self-respect and temple entry.
- Gandhi’s interactions with marginalized communities during his visits to Madurai.
Thiru.B.K.Arvind IP, District Superintendent of Madurai City Police has inaugurated the equality walk.
Movie Screenings
Two critically acclaimed films Sairat and Article 15 were screened at the Kalaignar Centenary Library. Following each screening, Dr. Prabhakar (Director, Kalaidescope, Madurai) facilitated discussions where participants analyzed how cinema portrays caste realities. Viewers reflected on the love story and honour killing in Sairat, drawing parallels with recent incidents in Tamil Nadu. Likewise, Article 15 opened debates about institutional caste bias and police complicity.
Participants emphasized the need for more authentic representations of Dalit voices in mainstream cinema. The screenings thus doubled as both entertainment and critical pedagogy.
Panel Discussion
A stimulating panel discussion was held on the theme of possibilities for equality within popular culture. Writers, academicians, and cultural critics examined how caste hierarchies have historically shaped literature, cinema, theatre, and music, and how these very platforms can also become spaces for resistance
Moderated by Prof.Prabakar by the panel highlighted examples of Dalit literature, folk songs, and folk performances that have redefined cultural norms. The discussion encouraged the audience to recognize popular culture as a double-edged sword: while it has reinforced inequalities, it also holds immense potential to dismantle them. Prof. Prof. T. Dharmaraj (MKU), Dr.Stalin Rajangam, and Dr.Periyasamay Raja have participated in the session as a resource persons and shared their valuable inputs.
Radio Campaign on Kodai FM
To ensure wider reach, the campaign partnered with Kodai FM, broadcasting announcements about the campaign activities for 31 consecutive days. Radio spots included jingles, program updates, and brief talks on equality delivered by experts. According to feedback, many people in rural Madurai first heard about the campaign through these broadcasts, highlighting the effectiveness of radio as a mass awareness medium. Coordinated by Prof. Saleema, this campaign significantly expanded the campaign’s footprint beyond physical venues.
Cultural Performances
Across three days, audiences in Madurai witnessed vibrant cultural performances including parai drumming, awareness songs, and folk dances.
Padmashri Velu Aasan and Karisal Karunanidhi’s teams presented performances blending entertainment with messages of equality. For example, one parai isai performance rhythmically narrated Ambedkar’s call for education and empowerment, drawing large crowds. These performances attracted not only campaign participants but also passersby, turning public spaces into forums for spontaneous dialogue on equality.
Ambedkar’s Book Reading
A group of students from American College, Madurai conducted daily reading sessions of Ambedkar’s seminal work “Visavirkaaga Kaaththirukkirean”. These sessions provided the public with access to Ambedkar’s ideas in Tamil, contextualized by facilitators
Additionally, poems by Dalit and progressive writers were read aloud, many of which condemned caste atrocities and envisioned a just society. The intimate, reflective nature of these readings contrasted powerfully with the more performative campaign events, offering quiet spaces for contemplation.
Flash Mobs and Pamphlet Distribution
Cultural teams organized flash mobs using Parai Isai at 10 busy locations in Madurai, including bus stands, marketplaces, and educational institutions. The sudden burst of drumming and song drew large crowds, after which volunteers distributed pamphlets outlining the campaign’s aims and upcoming events. This combination of surprise performance and informational outreach ensured that hundreds of unsuspecting citizens engaged with the campaign’s message
Displays of Leaders’ Quotes and ‘Selfie with Ambedkar’
Finally, the campaign installed 100 foam board posters featuring quotes from leaders like Ambedkar, Periyar, Phule, and Gandhi across public spaces in Madurai. Additionally, a life-sized Ambedkar statue was installed at the Government Museum premises as part of the “Selfie with Ambedkar” initiative. Visitors eagerly posed with the statue, sharing their photos on social media. This created an organic digital outreach, amplifying the campaign’s visibility.