Karuppi, Kaala and George Floyd

Two of the characters are fictional but their oppressions are real. The other one is a living example of racist hatred in the country. What treads them together? They represent the colour black. They are symbolic fighters. Their aspirations are genuine. But their plight is saddening. Each of them paid a big price as they attempted to climb up the ladder. 

Karuppi, a black dog is a character from a critically acclaimed movie Parierum Perumal. Karuppi was brutally killed. She was tied on a railway track by a contract killer. What did the poor creature do? It 'polluted' a pond that was reserved for upper caste people. This incident spark outrage in their minds. They chose the hard way of elimination, perhaps as a warning to her human companions!

We all know what happened to George Floyd. Despite his tragic end, millions of people across the globe received a wake-up call. People patrolled the streets. #Blacklivesmatter started trending on social media. Celebrities like Darren Sammy opened up about racist slurs they received in the IPL. The rising awareness against racism is the bright side emanated from a tragedy. We need to hear shocking incidents to activate our conscience. Perhaps, that's when we learn.

So, where does Kaala, a heroic figure played by Rajnikanth fits in? This Pa Ranjith film is testimony to the politics of the black. The protagonist, Karikaalan is themed upon this colour. He is Dharavi's own protector. He wears his identity on the sleeve. He stands with the people. He is aware of the true intention of the government's 'Pure Mumbai' project. "Give us the money and let us fix our place. We can do it ourselves," says Kaala at the project meeting. It is a grim reminder. Local people and their needs are always taken a backseat while initiating new projects. Why? Their love for the locals is shortlived. They simply want to get things done at a quick pace. People and their problems matter too little to them. Their priorities are something else.  

Black is the colour of rebellion. Some people consider it too negative. The anti-hero, a politician represents a right-wing ideology. His idea of 'purity' is based on the colour white. Ranjith makes the stage set for an ideological clash. It is a battle of two colours and ideas they represent. This has got a historic angle too. By now, it is common knowledge that caste is the Indian version of racism. 

Karuppi, Kaala and George Floyd stood up against oppression. They had to pay a heavy price. But can we say they left us? The idea of their fight outlived their sole existence, something symbolically portrayed in Kaala's climax. The cause was so powerful such that their absence fuelled the public outrage. The agitated people took to the streets and voiced for ending oppression. This happened both in reel life and real life.