Book of WSF 2004

By Vidyadhar Gadgil for infochangeindia.org

Dayabai - The Lady with Fire
by Mercy Mathew and Annie Drese
Franciscan Publications,
St. Anthony's Friary, # 85
Hosur Road, Bangalore - 560095
Rs. 250
CD Rs. 100

Some people can only be described as awe-inspiring - Dayabai Mercy Mathew is one such person. At the age of 63, often risking her life (she was badly beaten by the police in 1999), she fights with the peasant women for their rights and empowerment. Born in Kerala, she left everything to share the daily life of the Gond people in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh.

With a Bachelor's degree in Law and a Master's in Social Work, she has been living among the marginalised people for the past 20 years. She has received the National Award for Social Work from Dharma Bharathi in 2001.

This bald account fails to do justice to this dedicated, humble, serene and visionary woman (but any description would fail on this count) or to this splendid book. Brilliantly produced, it is a work of passion and commitment that does justice to an unsung wonder. It charts the journey of a social activist through her letters, poems, stories, photos , street plays and testimonies. Beginning with a charming series of letters to 'Goi' -- God, her special friend -- which give the broad outlines of her life in the form of personal letters written to 'Goi', the book moves onwards into a feast of prose, poetry and pictures and covers the entire story of her life from a very personal angle. At the end of the book, one feels an intense desire to just link with this person for some time, spend some time listening to her, and learn.

Every social worker and social activist must, absolutely must, read this book. An object lesson, in the form of a single woman's story of dedication and humility to the cause of the poor and marginalised, this book is also a visual, intellectual and emotional treat.

Enough of superlatives or vain attempts to adequately review something like. Over to Dayabai, first in poetry:

Dust Your Are

'Dust You Are
Unto dust you shall return,'
Whispered my mind.

I took a handful of soil
In my open palms and let it run out
From between my fingers...

Where do I have this land from?
Yes, it is the gift
Of a fond father
To his daughter.
Much against her wish.

Though let me have this land.
Hope not to get
Attached to it, O God.
Let me deal with it always
With the truth in mind.
'Dust you are
Unto dust shall return.'

An extract from a letter to 'Goi':

Goi, I can write volumes about my life in this village. I had a variety of experiences that affected various aspects of my life. It all began consciously when on the first day itself someone commented, “Why did you come to us, we are the monkeys of the forest?”

I began to bridge the gap between them and I. This meant to lower my self-image before them and raise their own image. It meant declassing, it meant becoming small . It meant taking on a totally different kind of lifestyle. Having had no financial support for several years, I had to struggle to earn my livelihood, and also to economise. There were occasions when I could not afford a meal and so managed with a piece of jaggery and water. But Goi, I noticed that I was never in want!

And a photograph, presumably taken within the hut where she lives (at the beginning of this homage).

Annie Drese, the co-author and all associated with this book (and the accompanying video film) have done a great job of bringing out this book and the accompanying video film. Buy both, show them to friends, let them go leaf through the book (but within your sight, they may run away with it), and take it home to keep as a collector's item. Open it at random, take a dip, and return awestruck and inspired. Share it with all those you know.

Some minor problems, easily corrected. There are too many photographs, which leads to them being bunched and also makes for awkward layout. And the English is too French.

Bravo, all associated with this project! And thanks!

Film review fortchoming. Watch this space. Check infochangeindia.org.

Dayabai Mercy Mathew
Barul Village, Bargi Post
Chhindwara
Madhya Pradesh 480224
India.