Agrarian problems and the role of media and literature in Kerala: with special reference to socio-economic transformation 1934-1971

Abstract

The study involved making sense of the role played by media and literature in the agrarian question of Kerala with special reference to the period of 1934 to 1971 the period which witnessed the struggle of the peasantry against feudalism. The media and literature had played a crucial part in this struggle actively involving themselves in the struggle against feudalism. Background The Kerala society was known for the extreme rigidity of its caste system. The outcastes were semi agrestic slaves up to the land while the land was owned by the upper castes who controlled the political institutions as well. Thus Kerala had a social system in which the ruling class could exert its power politically through the control of such institutions, economically by virtue of their monopoly over land and socially by virtue of the high place they had occupied in 1 Balakrishnan. P.K. Jathivyavastayum Keralacharitravum, D.C.Books, Kottayyam, 3 the caste hierarchy. This system was described as the Jati Jenmi Naduvazhi Medhavitham by E.M.S. Nambuthirippadu.2 The feudal system of production was the backbone of this entire oppressive system. Any significant social transformation was impossible without breaking the back of the feudal mode of production. So the decades from 1934 to 1971 which were the decades of social transformation also witnessed the intense fight against feudalism. The fight against feudalism could be carried out by the peasantry which was unified against all divisive identities. Peasants or the tenants belonged to different castes. They had to forge a unity among themselves. The broad based unity which emerged among the petty peasants, agricultural labourers and the working class was also crucial in advancing the struggle against caste system. Necessarily thus the struggle against feudalism had to be combined with struggles against the caste system and attempts for social reform became an intrinsic part of it. Such a large scale transformation is difficult to be achieved without having the support of the media.