A Glimpse of Humanity and Inhumanity in the Films Pariyerum Perumal and Kanni Maadam

Abstract

Cinema is an extensive platform for visualizing ideologies through entertainment and discussing issues artistically. Cinema plays a main role in human life like literature, painting, poetry, folk songs, etc. It is a tool to explore emotions created by filmmakers and stimulate them in the audience which is correspondingly a reflection of the society that speaks about massive issues like politics, history, relationships, adventure, etc. Over time cinema started to portray social injustices, especially by shedding light on marginalized communities. Cinemas mostly characterized Dalits as inferior neglecting their hardships but consequently started to represent their protest for identification and social equality. Contemporary young filmmakers in India are filling the space to speak caste politics honestly. This paper analyzes social inequality through select Tamil films, Pariyerum Perumal and Kanni Maadam, which articulated an extraordinary message by trying to picture the humanity and inhumanities displayed in the caste-practiced society. Humanity is one of the central elements that distinguish living from non-living. Exhibiting humanity in recent times is directly proportional to the necessities of the individual. In such a situation, an individual or community showing humanity to those who displayed inhumanity towards them is astounding. The select films explore the same by emphasizing how humanity displayed at the unexpected and undeserved moment can alter a person’s ego and change society virtuously. The paper also puts forth suggestions on how the marginalized can be uplifted and empowered by the theory of egalitarianism.