A Dalit girl's struggles: Rajani Palamparambil’s inspiring autobiography now a university read

'Aa Nellimaram Pullanu,' the autobiography written by Rajani Palamparambil, has been approved as a textbook by Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam. This compelling account of Rajani's life, a native of Kaduthuruthy, has been included in the BA Malayalam syllabus. The book, published in 2021, also marks Rajani's debut as an author.

For many Malayalis, the gooseberry tree evokes sweet memories of school days, but for Rajani, it symbolizes a deep wound inside. Her autobiography recounts the mistreatment and hardships she endured as a Dalit girl during her student years.

Rajani, the youngest of six children, was born to parents who worked as daily-wage labourers. She is currently employed temporarily as part of the digital resurvey project. Rajani turned to writing following the unexpected death of her husband. Expressing her joy over the inclusion of her book in the university syllabus, Rajani remarked, "I am happy that students will also learn that lives used to be this way too."

Rajani studied up to the 10th standard at Kaduthuruthy Government High School. Due to her dark complexion, she was often ridiculed and called “Karumbi”. While students from forward castes usually received favourable treatment at the school, Rajani recalls that her Malayalam teachers appreciated and loved her because she excelled in the subject.

"My house, with its thatched roof, was nestled right in the middle of a paddy field. The mud-laden boundaries of the fields served as the pathway to my home. While poets may romanticize these scenic fields and boundaries (Varambu), we had to traverse the Varambu, which reeked of mud and was infested with venomous snakes and crabs. The fields would flood in June and July, making the journey to school even harder. We walked to school, constantly fearing the snakes along the way."

"During the rainy seasons, as water entered our house, so did the snakes. My father would build a platform using areca palm, and we would position ourselves on that platform. Once the water receded, our house would be left full of mud," Rajani describes her childhood.

Rajani pursued her degree at NSS College Changanassery and later joined CMS College, Kottayam, for an MA in Sociology. However, she was married off before completing the first year of the course and had to abandon her studies at that point. Three years after her daughter was born, Rajani earned a BEd degree. Tragically, her husband passed away sometime later. Following this, she started working in various fields, including as an SC promoter, in vacancies reported by the Employment Exchange, and as a cashier in a drug store.

Although Rajani passed the Kerala PSC examinations twice, she did not secure a government job as the list expired before her name was called. Now 46 years old, Rajani's daughter, Aparna Mohan, has completed her MSW, while her son, Anand Mohan, has passed his plus two.

"I am so disappointed that in a state like Kerala, where people always blame those in reserved and scheduled categories for unduly taking over all rights, I have been unable to secure a job even after receiving so much education," Rajani says.

Following her debut book, 'Aa Nellimaram Pullanu,' Rajani has also published another book titled 'Penn Kanal Rekhakal.' She is currently busy authoring an anthology of short stories.