Pubarun Basu | Photo Series
In the Name of God
The photo series portrays the journey to freedom for the Ramnamis, a lower caste tribe in India, and the permanent tattoos of "Ram" an act of defiance against the casteist regime.
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Ram Sadhak ji offers his prayers to the Almighty. The name of Ram is etched in parallel lines across his forehead.
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The mukut or headgear stand as a strong cultural emblem for the Ramnamis, constituting their religious identity. The helm is painted with bright colours with a white piece of cloth tied around it that mentions the name of Ram in repetition. On top, a flock of peacock feathers signify its rich mythological connotation.
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Ram Pyare ji, the Adhyaksh of the sect, lives a humble life as a farmer in his village. He often reminisces the struggles in his youth as a Ramnami.
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The Ramnami sect was started by Parasuram in the 1890s. The shack that once saw the rise of the rebellion is now home to the Upasak of the tribe. Karthik Ram ji, the son of Parasuram, now sits at the top of the hierarchy. He has grown weary with age, but his spirit remains indomitable to this day. The tattoos on his skin have lost their permanence in the transience of time. Every now and then, he breaks into a bhajan, sung in praise of Lord Ram.
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The frail hands of an elderly couple caress a memory from their past. This studio portrait of Karthik Ram ji is one of their prized possessions, more so because it highlights his tattoos that once were his weapon of resistance.
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Ramcharitmanas, the holy scripture followed by the Ramnamis, talks about the deeds of Lord Ram through its poetic lines. The book acts as a source of inspiration for the community and establishes a sense of morality in their conscience. Quotes from the scriptures are often found to be painted on the blue walls of their homes.
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The love of this elderly couple has lasted throughout the decades. Sukhwara bai and Karthik Ram ji live a life of peace, always catering to each other's needs. This old memoir, however, highlights a sense of vigour in their personality that they possessed during their fight against social injustice.
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The Bhajan Mela is a time of the year when the Ramnamis living in villages far apart gather together to celebrate their heritage and legacy through their traditional folk songs. The bhajans narrate the story of the conquests of Ram and reflect on the undying fidelity of the Ramnamis to their deity. Karthik ji proudly holds up a picture showing the community of elders, some of the original Ramnamis. Unfortunately, many of them lost their struggle to Covid and the last of the tattooed women passed away the previous year.
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The white attire of the Ramnamis draws a contrast to their mud houses. A few of the settlements have undergone a modern transformation, although still possessing a rustic charm from the bygone era.
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Blessed with two young grandkids, most of Ram Pyare ji's days are now spent playing with them. The rebellion against systematic oppression has subsided, hence the younger generation find it unnecessary to tattoo themselves. However, the faiths and beliefs of the people remain true to their identity.
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Two school kids stand at the entrance of the meeting hall that was once used to host conferences amongst the elders of the clan. The advent of modernity has led a wave of change through the village.
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The name of Ram is found in every nook and corner of the villages. It rightfully reflects on the devotion of the Ramnamis to their religious hero.
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Denied entry into temples, the Ramnamis discovered their own way of connecting with the Almighty. They set up shrines in nature, made out of rocks - symbolising their deities. The shrine of Hanuman, located right outside their home, is worshipped by them to this very day.
About the series
The Ramnami sect has been burdened with a history of systematic oppression ever since the Mughal era. As members of the lower caste, the tribal people were denied entry into temples and treated as untouchables throughout centuries. Following a series of events that took away the freedom of practicing their religion, the tribe was pushed to the limits of socio-political hegemonic tyranny. The indigenous identity of this ethnic group was stripped off of them by the upper caste communities. The late 19th century witnessed the rise of a hero in the name of Parasuram, who emerged from the ashes of mutiny and started the Ramnami sect as an act of defiance against the casteist regime. The name of "Ram" was tattooed on the bare skin of all the members of the tribe, to prove a silent but powerful message that God is omnipresent.
Their white attires were also decorated with the name of Ram, while the peacock feathers on their headgear held a rich mythological significance. Although a stigma surrounding the lower caste tribes continues to loom upon the people, the journey to freedom for the Ramnamis has been resolved into a peaceful conclusion. As a result, the younger generation finds it unnecessary to follow the customs that were once institutionalized by their elders. The tattoos have started fading away with time, as have their significance. Yet, they remain etched on the skins as a permanent reminder of the struggle of independence of the Ramnamis.
The Ramnamis now live a humble life in the villages of Janjgir-Champa in Chhattisgarh, hidden from the modern gaze. While agriculture still remains as their primary mode of livelihood, the sons and daughters of the Ramnamis have ventured out into the cities in search of jobs in various sectors. The sect has broken up into individual communities that are scattered across the district. Yet, each year they come together to celebrate their history through a bhajan festival. The meeting halls that once saw the rebellion taking shape now house young students aspiring toward a better tomorrow. The name of Ram finds itself in every nook and corner of the villages. The Ramnamis, mostly in their 70s, are now but a fleeting glimpse in the mainland of India.