Echoes of Change: Dalit Contributions to Christian Periodicals in Colonial Telugu India

Abstract

The emergence of Christian periodicals in Telugu regions during colonial India marked a significant intervention by Protestant missions, particularly impacting the Dalit community. These periodicals arose in the context of mass conversion movements, wherein Dalits, marginalised within the Hindu caste system, embraced Christianity en masse. This conversion opened educational opportunities previously denied to them. Missionaries established Christian periodicals to communicate the Gospel, disseminate Christian teachings, inform about church events, and nurture the spiritual growth of converts. Additionally, these periodicals aimed to foster collaboration and communication among converts and missionaries. Over time, Dalits became not only the primary readership of these journals but also active contributors, editors, associate editors, and members of editorial committees. This inclusion led to a transformation in the periodicals, shifting their focus from solely religious content to socio-political discourse. The periodicals began addressing caste discrimination, Dalit aspirations, and the new practices emerging in their post-conversion lives while also reflecting their concerns within the national movement. They documented atrocities against Dalits and highlighted their educational progress. This emerging Dalit literate public engaged actively with print media by contributing articles, songs, and personal testimonies, immersing themselves in the intellectual discourse facilitated by these journals. Through their active engagement, Dalit converts found a platform for their voices, which had been systematically silenced in broader societal discourses. Despite maintaining a foundation in the Christian faith, these publications became a platform for Dalits to discuss their issues, intertwining religious content with socio-political matters. This paper examines the rise of Christian periodicals in Telugu regions, highlighting the entry and contribution of the Dalit reading public. It explores how Dalit men and women, through their writing and editorial roles, influenced the periodicals to address caste and socio-political issues during colonial India. This study underscores the dual role of these periodicals in promoting the Christian faith and providing a crucial voice for the Dalit community within a restrictive socio-cultural milieu.