Caste at birth / produced and directed by Mira Hamermesh.

Format:

Video

Author/Creator:

Hamermesh, Mira.

Series:

Filmakers library online.

Academic Video Online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Caste--India.

Caste.

Dalits--India.

Dalits.

Genre:

Documentary films.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (52 min.).

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Filmakers Library, 1991.

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

Few Westerners realize the grave situation of India s "untouchables." There are 150 million of them who live a segregated life. They cannot own land or get an education and are condemned to the most menial jobs, such as sweeping streets, cleaning toilets, or butchering animals. In the villages they are subject to abuse, sometimes killed for minor slights to the landowners. From birth, all alternatives are closed to them. While the government has tried to improve the condition of the untouchables, these attempts have been met by strong resistance. Upper caste Hindus profit from this source of cheap labor. In addition, the Hindu notion that the untouchable is impure is deeply ingrained. However, a few leaders have arisen from their ranks, who work for change.

Notes:

Originally released as DVD.

Title from resource description page (viewed May 24, 2011).

Margaret Mead Film Festival, 1991

Red Ribbon, American Film & Video Festival, 1991

Association for Asian Studies, 1991

OCLC:

747796445