A Potpourri of Vestiges Feature
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| Abbas Panakkal (centre) during the panel discussion at IIC |
A
century of skewed narratives is being challenged with the release of Dr. Abbas
Panakkal’s latest book, Musaliar
King, a bold, decolonial account of Malabar’s resistance against
colonial rule. This seminal work reinterprets historical events, shedding light
on the resilience of the region’s marginalized communities and confronting
long-standing misrepresentations in colonial historiography.
Dr.
Abbas Panakkal, the esteemed author of Musaliar
King, asserts: “My book seeks to reclaim the history of Malabar’s
resistance, challenging the colonial narrative that has been perpetuated for
far too long. It’s time to uncover the truth and give voice to the marginalized
communities who fought against colonial oppression.”
The
book’s launch was marked by a thought-provoking discussion at the India
International Centre, chaired by Ambassador KP Fabian,
former Indian Ambassador and Professor at Symbiosis University. Ambassador
Fabian praised Dr. Panakkal’s scholarship, stating: “I have read the book. It
is a fine example of historiography based on evidence collected through
industrious research. Dr. Abbas Panakkal has unmasked the imperialist plot to
project a false account of what happened. His account of Mahatma Gandhi’s visit
to Calicut in August 1920 with Maulana Shaukat Ali is indeed valuable for all
those interested in history.”
A
distinguished panel of scholars engaged in a stimulating discussion about the
book’s themes and historical revelations. The panel featured Prof. Syed Iqbal
Hasnain, Former Vice Chancellor of Calicut University; Prof. Sayyid Juffri,
Former Head of the History Department at Delhi University; Prof. Saleena
Basheer, Dean of the Law Department at Hamdard University; and Prof. Pallavi
Raghavan from Ashoka University.
Musaliar
King meticulously
uncovers the colonial atrocities and hidden agendas that shaped Malabar’s
history. The book delves into how colonial powers systematically exploited the
region’s resources, perpetuated socio-economic inequalities, and manipulated
narratives to vilify the indigenous resistance. Dr. Panakkal particularly
highlights how the colonial regime’s economic and ecological exploitation
mirrored patterns seen in the Amazon rainforest.
Another
striking dimension of the book is its focus on the feminist contributions to
Malabar’s resistance, bringing long-overlooked stories of courageous women to
the forefront of historical discourse.
The
impact of Musaliar King
is already resonating beyond academia, garnering global recognition and praise
from distinguished scholars worldwide. In an exciting development, an
American-based film producer has expressed interest in adapting the book into a
feature film, potentially bringing Malabar’s untold story to an international
audience.
With
its groundbreaking research and powerful narrative, Musaliar King is a must-read for historians,
scholars, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of colonialism, resistance,
and the true history of Malabar.
Readers, please feel free to share your opinion by leaving your comments. As always your valuable thoughts are highly appreciated
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