USA (Commonwealth Union)_ Indian-American scholar Shailaja Paik has garnered significant recognition for her groundbreaking research on the experiences of Dalit women in India, receiving an $800,000 “Genius” grant from the MacArthur Foundation. This prestigious fellowship is awarded annually to individuals exhibiting extraordinary achievements or potential across diverse fields, from academia to activism. Her work critically examines the intersection of caste, gender, and sexuality, revealing how these factors collectively deny Dalit women their dignity and personhood.
Also read: Indian organic products to go global: Lulu Group enters the market!
Paik is a distinguished research professor of history at the University of Cincinnati, where she also holds affiliations with the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and Asian Studies programs. Her recent research project has delved into the lives of women performers in Tamasha, a vibrant yet often stigmatized form of folk theatre predominantly practiced by Dalits in Maharashtra for centuries. The MacArthur Foundation noted, “Despite the state’s efforts to reframe Tamasha as an honorable and quintessentially Marathi cultural practice, ashlil (the mark of vulgarity) sticks to Dalit Tamasha women.”
Also read: Sony Pictures welcomes new Indian-American CEO!
The MacArthur Foundation highlighted Paik’s contributions, stating, “Through her focus on the multifaceted experiences of Dalit women, Paik elucidates the enduring nature of caste discrimination and the forces that perpetuate untouchability.” In line with this research, Paik published her book, “The Vulgarity of Caste: Dalits, Sexuality, and Humanity in Modern India”, which critiques the prevailing narratives around caste and sexuality in the context of modern Indian society. The foundation also recognized her critical examination of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, one of the most influential figures in the fight against caste discrimination and the architect of India’s Constitution.
In a recent media interview, Paik shared her personal journey as a member of the Dalit community, having grown up in a slum in Pune. She attributed her academic aspirations to her father’s commitment to education, which served as a driving force in her pursuit of knowledge. After earning her master’s degree from Savitribai Phule University in Pune, she continued her education at the University of Warwick in the UK, where she completed her PhD. Paik’s academic career also includes a tenure as a visiting assistant professor of South Asian history at Yale University, where she further developed her expertise in the historical contexts of caste and gender.
Since its inception in 1981, the MacArthur Fellowship program has awarded grants to 1,153 individuals, celebrating a wide array of talents. Previous recipients include notable figures such as writers Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and Ved Mehta; poet A.K. Ramanujan; economist Raj Chetty; Sendhil Mullainathan; mathematician L Mahadevan; computer scientists Subhash Khot and Shwetak Patel; physical biologist Manu Prakash; musician Vijay Gupta; community organizer Raj Jayadev; lawyer and activist Sujatha Baliga, among others.
The MacArthur Foundation’s selection process is conducted anonymously, relying on recommendations rather than applications or lobbying, ensuring that recipients are chosen purely for their extraordinary talents. The grants are dispensed over five years and come without any restrictions, allowing fellows to pursue their work with the freedom to innovate. Shailaja Paik’s work not only sheds light on the experiences of marginalized groups but also challenges entrenched societal norms. Her recognition as a MacArthur Fellow is a testament to her significant contributions to the fields of history and sexuality studies and her dedication to elevating the voices of Dalit women in India.
