Colonial Modernity and Social Reforms: Mobilisation of Lower Caste Communities in Kerala

Abstract

The caste reform movement in Kerala had implications for Dalit culture and identity. These movements almost tried to Brahmanise the lower caste community to claim status in the highly caste-ridden Kerala society.  The reform movements in Kerala tried to achieve upward mobility; vegetarianism and purity were significant articulations among them. People have articulated the reform as a 'renaissance'.  Kerala's entire social reform movements mobilised the lower caste into Hinduism that they had never experienced.