Kerala Dalit writer KK Kochu, who authored the first Dalit autobiography in Malayalam, dies at 76

He has been at the forefront of Dalit fights in Kerala in the recent decades and has authored several books on Dalits and subaltern studies. In 2020, he won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Overall Contributions.

Born in an oppressed Pulaya family at Kallara in Kottayam district, Kochu got involved in politics during his college days at Maharaja’s College in Kochi. His literary life also started during his teen days.

In his autobiography, Kochu recalled how he had been shamed by the upper caste classmates in the college. Kochu wanted to become a doctor, but the exposure to the literary world made him a social activist with Left leanings. Despite this, he had been critical of the CPI(M), which had branded him as a Naxal.

Kochu, who had gone into hiding during the emergency days, later played an active role in the formation of various trade unions and rights groups such as People’s Workers Union and the Human Rights COmmittee. From 1977 to 2001, Kochu worked with the state transport corporation.

His major works in Malayalam are ‘Kalaapavum Samskaaravaum’, ‘Buddhanilekulla Dooram’, ‘Ambedkar: Jeevithavum Dauthyavum’, ‘Idathupaksham Illaatha Kaalam’, ‘Dalit Nerkaazhchakal’, ‘Kerala Charitravum Samooha Roopikaranavum’ and ‘Deshiyathakkoru Charitrapadhom’. The awards he bagged include the Arali Award and the Vaikom Chandrasekharan Nair Award.