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Publishing for social change
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N avayana, India’s first niche publishing house to deal exclusively with caste and Dalit-related issues was launched November 5 at Landmark.
Navayana literally means ‘new vehicle’, a term given to B R Ambedkar's socially and morally concerned, rationalistic, anti-metaphysical interpretation of Buddhism. This “liberation theology” of Buddhism is also called “engaged Buddhism”. As a publishing venture, Navayana will be a “new vehicle” to take forward debates on issues neglected by mainstream publishers.
To start with, Navayana will feature short tracts on a wide range of issues related to society, culture, literature, history and politics. Their focus will be on caste, identity politics and religious fundamentalism. In the tradition of Siddharth Gautama, perhaps the first to introduce the culture of dialogue and debate with people who held diverse views in the subcontinent, these books will encourage dialogue and debate on issues that the mainstream publishers do not wish to address.
Narendra Jadhav, author of ‘Outcaste: A Memoir’ inaugurated Navayana’s book sales at Landmark. The four books are:
 ‘Touchable Tales’
There has been a surge in publishing Dalit writing in translation. Mainstream publishers in India and abroad are seeking out Dalit literature. Bama, Narendra Jadhav, Sharankumar Limbale, Omprakash Valmiki are in the news. Dalit writers are being invited to literary festivals abroad. Dalit literature is also being taught in some universities. But who decides what gets published? Who are these interlocutors-the publishers, translators and editors? Why are autobiographies prioritised? While Dalits in Tamil Nadu are do the most horrendous jobs, who are the consumers of Dalit literature in English? In ‘Touchable Tales’, those involved with the publishing, teaching and creation of Dalit literature debate the issues. (Rs 45)
‘Postmodernism and Religious Fundamentalism’
The promotion of an anti-enlightenment and anti-modernist view of the world by the seemingly Left-wing, post-modernist scholars with indigenist sympathies has ended up affirming a Right-wing fundamentlalist movements. Thee situation is such that there are Hindu, Islamic and Christian fundamentalists, asserting the right to their “own” science, and this goes well with the post-modernist denigration of science as a “western construct”. The secularisation of science - the hard won freedom of science from churches, Brahmins and mullahs - is under threat. However, philosopher of science Meera Nanda, in this collection - an essay, a review of her work and an interview with her - sees hope in the ideas Ambedkar, the Dalit movement and neo-Buddhism. (Rs 55)
 ‘Ambedkar: Autobiographical Notes’
In six autobiographical sketches written in 1935, B.R.Ambedkar reminiscences his experiences of untouchability. Beginning with an incident when he was 9 years old, Ambedkar recalls his humiliation at a Parsi Inn (hotel) in Baroda soon after his return from studies abroad, later as a tourist at the Daulatabad fort, and a few incidents involving others. In his introduction, Ravikumar, activist-theoretician of the dalit movement, tries to understand the complex manner in which the 'private' and the 'public' operate for a dalit person. He situates our lack of access to Ambedkar's private in this binary of the dalit self. (Rs 40)
‘Brahmans & Cricket’
 For Indians cricket is nationalism. It is religion. But is it secular? A Leftist and a Hindutvawadi equally celebrate an Indian victory. But, till recently, a cricket team comprised a majority of Brahmins: sometimes eight out of 11 players. How did a priestly class - soft, even effeminate - come to dominate a sport? Why does such dominance does not extend to hockey or football? In ‘Brahmans and Cricket’, S Anand, a Chennai-based journalist, seeks answers to questions that are never asked. Beginning with a critique of Aamir Khan’s 2002 blockbuster ‘Lagaan’ and the politics of representation of its Dalit character, Kachra, the author tangentially examines why the nation is under the thrall of cricket and cinema. Sudhanv Deshpande and Lubna Mariam respond. A debate ensues. (Rs 60)
Navayana books are available at all book shops, says Anand who can be contacted at 24422199 or you could get in touch with Ravikumar at 0413-2253666, or e-mail
navayana@ambedkar.org
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