In North Chennai, stories of resilience and transformation are emerging from communities often overlooked. V Senthilkumar, a 47-year-old football coach, dedicates his time to training underprivileged children. Growing up as the son of a daily wage worker earning just Rs 2,000 a month, Senthilkumar faced numerous challenges. His parents initially considered sports a waste of time, but his passion for football drove him to learn from local seniors. A coach recognized his talent and mentored him, enabling him to participate in district and state-level tournaments, eventually reaching the U-21 state-level football tournament. Despite financial constraints, Senthilkumar took a part-time job as an office assistant, where his employer supported him with nutrition, travel, and gear. He represented Tamil Nadu until 2004, but after his parents passed away when he was 26, he lost his way. Encouraged by his coach, he secured a job as a sepoy in port customs through the sports quota. Now, through his North Chennai Football Club, he trains children from his area, hoping they will go beyond his achievements and empower more youngsters.
Choosing Dignity in Labour
Raees Mohammed, from the Arunthathiyar community, grew up witnessing his father's struggles as a sanitation worker, often engaged in manual scavenging. The stigma and lack of dignity in the work motivated Raees to pursue a PhD on discrimination among scheduled castes, focusing on sanitation workers' conditions. He discovered that globally, septic tanks are cleaned using machines like slush mixers and vacuum systems, eliminating human contact. Raees quit his job and started a machine-based septic tank cleaning service in Kotagiri, employing people from his community. In four years, his team has serviced over 1,000 homes. His work not only provides a livelihood but also restores self-respect, inspiring others in his community to start similar businesses.
Finding a Voice Amidst Protest
Rajendra Prasad, a 27-year-old music composer from North Chennai, uses his musical talent for political activism. Growing up in a family of sanitation workers, music seemed an unlikely career. However, his involvement with the Students' Federation of India (SFI) during his B.Com course led him to sing at protests and awareness camps. Without formal training, he turned to YouTube to learn music production. He has composed tracks on issues like the Special Intensive Revisions (SIR) in 'Mera PM Vote Chori', the Israel-Palestine war in 'Break the bloody silence', and the recent assembly elections with 'Delhi vs Tamil Nadu 2026' for DMK and its allies. Despite his parents' disapproval, Rajendra continues to use his voice to address social issues and hopes to collaborate with labels like Think Indie Music and compose for films to help kids from his community.
Teaching Kids to Lead
Shalin Maria Lawrence, a Dalit activist and writer from Choolai, achieved a milestone when she was selected for a US State Department leadership programme in 2025. Growing up in a neighbourhood of 800 families, international travel seemed impossible. Her selection became a community celebration. Shalin documents the experiences of Dalit communities through workshops, columns, and essays on caste, education access, and barriers faced by youth. She now helps teens from her community access scholarships and exchange programmes, aiming to change how they dream and empower them in writing, policy, and leadership.
Why Celebrate Dalit History Month?
Dalit History Month is a time to reclaim and amplify histories long ignored. Sociologist Pratham Parekh notes that from the 1980s, Dalit political assertion rose, leading to greater recognition of struggles and cultural expressions. Political commentator Lakhshya Lakey emphasizes that for communities making up nearly 70% of India's population, this month is about documenting and amplifying ignored histories. In Chennai, events include art shows like the Dalit Aesthetics Art Show 2026 at Lalit Kala Akademi, part of the Vaanam Festival, featuring over 30 artists exploring caste, identity, and resistance.
