Practicing Success
Who is referred to as the Sunflower giving fakir in a well-known poem written by Namdeo Dhasal? |
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"Turning their backs to the sun, they journeyed through centuries. In the well-known poem "Sunflower," written by Namdeo Dhasal, the Sunflower giving fakir refers to B.R. Ambedkar. In the poem, the pilgrims were the Dalit communities who had experienced brutal caste injustices for a long time in our society and the poet is referring to Dr. Ambedkar as their liberator. Dalit poets in Maharashtra wrote many such poems during the decade of seventies. These poems were expressions of anguish that the Dalit masses continued to face even after twenty years of independence. But they were also full of hope for the future, a future that Dalit groups wished to shape for themselves. Dr. Ambedkar is known for his vision of socio-economic change and his relentless struggle for a dignified future for Dalits outside the Hindu caste-based social structure. It is not surprising that Dr. Ambedkar remains an iconic and inspirational figure in much of Dalit liberation writings. |