Blogs written in different languages is not new. But a blog written in a language which is on the verge of extinction can definitely ignite interest. www.mallamaam.in, arguably the first blog in Devanagari language in Kerala has been born out of a person’s untiring crusade against untouchability. The blog which was started in wordpress contains several Konkani short stories and poems.
When R K Prakash started his blog, little did he know that it would garner 250 followers in a month’s time. “To me, it came as a big surprise. I was totally clueless about the internet. Seeing so many followers really encouraged me,” he says. It was Prakash’s search for a platform to voice his opinions that led to the creation of the blog. “I was writing in a Konkani magazine for about a year. But in course of time, I could feel that they were not in favour of my work. My articles were sidelined and I badly needed an outlet to talk about the stark realities. That how this blog came into existence,” he says.
Prakash says he would like to use his blog to acquaint the world that traces of untouchability still exist in society. “It is commonly believed that untouchability has been wiped out. But it is not true. It still rears its ugly head on and off,” says Prakash.
Hailing from a Konkani family, his father belonged to the upper caste while his mother was not. He recollects some bitter experiences during his growing up days. “I couldn’t even light the pyre when my father passed away. This happened 30 years ago. But it is sad to say that untouchability still lingers in society, though not in its worst form,” he says. Prakash says that he wants his blog to serve as a clarion call to everyone to say no to untouchability.
Prakash believes he has been garnering followers so quickly not because of his talent but purely due to the controversial topics he touches upon through his blog. ‘Konkan Railway’ is one such poem which mocked the social evil.
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