Tribal Rights in the Novel Uyarathin Thalvukal (Lows of Elevation)

Abstract

Human rights are great. To make man live as a human being. It is common to all, regardless of country, race, language, or religion. The United Nations organization and the Constitution of India have taken various initiatives to protect these human rights. However, it can be seen here and there that the dominant class finds pleasure in suppressing the poor and exploiting their labour. The poor, who live in ignorance and fear, are subservient to the dominant class without even being aware of their rights. The only category of such simple people is the tribals living in the hills. Since neither the government's help nor the welfare schemes have reached these people, they are living in a very lower position than the common poor living on the plains. In his novel "Uyarathin Thalvukal", Su.Samudram has recorded the lives of Malayalis, the tribals living in the Kalvarayan Hills. This novel emphasizes that even though they live in the high mountains, their lives are at a very low level without any rights. The essence of their labour is absorbed into the luxurious life of the Jagirs living on the plains. Their lives were ruined by exorbitant taxation and harsh punishments. When they are freed from the Jagirs, their lives are filled with misery by the forest officials. The women of the Kalvarayan hills fall prey to the physical hunger of the dominant class. The purpose of this article is to examine and highlight the rights that have been violated in the lives of these people who have no food to eat and who do not have proper treatment for their ailments through the novel "Lows of Elevation".