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While, a lot has been written about the need to 'decolonize' animal studies and wildlife conservation, there is no discussion or attempt to 'de-brahminize' animal studies and conservation science in India. Similarly, some animals and birds are positioned as superior in the Brahmanical social order, others seem to be subordinated and are associated with certain 'inferior' caste groups. Beings and Beasts discusses the relations between humans and animals of marginalized societies, especially of Dalits and Tribals. It analyses the various ways of perceiving the 'conjoint' living and examines it from multiple perspectives and disciplinary lenses.
List of contents
Introduction: Human-Animal Relations at the 'Margins'; Ambika Aiyadurai and Prashant Ingole; Part I. Animals in Dalit Cinema: 1. The Pig, the National Anthem and Anti-Caste Belonging in Fandry Purnachandra Naik; 2. Speaking of Pain: Portrayal of Human-Animal Relationships in Tamil Cinema R. Samuel Gnanaraj; 3. Cast(e)ing Animals in Cinema: Exploring Human-Animal Relationships through Fandry and Pariyerum Perumal Akshay Sawant; Part II. Dalit Imageries and Textual Narratives: 4. The Changing Iconography of the Owl in Dalit Narratives: A Study of Cho. Dharman's Koogai Shibangi Dash; 5. 'Dhed and Bhedh': Caste and Animals in Ratan Kumar Sambharia's Short Stories Deepak Sarohia; 6. Holy Cow, Unholy Meat: Food Ecologies, Affective Communities and Violence in 'The Revenge of the Non Vegetarian' Greeshma Mohan; Part III. Human-Animals Relations In the Northeast: 7. Without a Pig, a Bodo Life is Incomplete Rachan Daimary; 8. Yaks and the Brokpa of Arunachal Pradesh: An Immemorial Nomadic Association; Khriengunuo Mepfhuo and Mihir Sarkar; 9. The 'Divine Animal' of Arunachal Pradesh: Changing Human-Mithun Relationships Abhishruti Sarma; Part IV. Animals as Companions: 10. Pastoral Practices and Human-Animal Relation: A Study of Dhangars in Maharashtra Ashwini Labde; 11. Frames in the Discourse Around Bull-Taming Sport: Why PETA's Animal Welfarism was Misguided Saravanan Velusamy; 12. Dalit Ecologies and Animal Rights: Caste, Body, Metaphor Susan Haris; 13. Animals in Poems: Dalits and their Relations with Nonhumans Gautam Vegda.
