THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An exhibition on the Renaissance movement of Kerala was inaugurated by educationist N A Karim on the Putharikkandam grounds. The exhibition has put together slices from the history of Kerala, showing the casteist customs and practices that existed once upon a time.
The ‘Villuvandiyathra’ led by Ayyankali on the streets wherein people branded ‘Avarnas’ were not allowed and ‘Channar Lahala’ in which Pulaya women fought for their right to clothe have all been showcased at the exhibition.
Karim said that it was pitiable that those with vested interests have been using renaissance leaders including Ayyankali to tap into vote banks.
He said that the role of Ayyankali, Sree Narayana Guru, Chattambi Swamikal, K P Vallon, Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker, Vaikuntaswamikal and Sahodaran Ayyappan in creating modern Kerala could not be denied. Without studying their revolutionary life struggle, it was impossible to defeat the communalist forces which exist in society, he said.