‘Mahatma’ Ayyankali’s (1863–1941) social interventions were radical, secular and fundamental, aimed at ensuring dignity, social justice and economic equality for Dalits. Few people know that his famous ‘Leave the fields fallow’ call to Dalits was aimed not at securing better wages, but for ensuring their right to education. His shrewd and practical political foresight is best evidenced in the manner in which he orchestrated the events that led to the rejection of the kallayum malayum―symbols of Dalit female enslavement.

M.R. Renukumar’s biography of the reformer was first published in Malayalam in 2017. In Catherine Thankamma’s translation, Ayyankali’s life and work now comes to readers across the world.