Govindan Kutty

The book Fire on the Ganges by Radhika Iyengar holds a mirror to the life of the Dom community. They are the traditional pyre burners in the ghats on the Ganges. An underprivileged class stifled by caste customs and class distinctions, everyday life is a struggle for most of them. As usual, women bear the brunt of the oppressive system. Some try to break out of it by single minded determination, fighting heavy odds. The book is an engaging reportage on the community, presented as an eminently readable docu-drama. Congratulations to the author!