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Chetan Kumar

2022-06-15T00:10:01Z

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{{Short description|Indian actor (born - 1983)}}
{{For|the director|Chethan Kumar (director)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Chetan Kumar
| image = Chetan_Actor.jpg
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|2|24|df=yes}}<ref name="filmibeat.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/chetan-kumar/biography.html|title=Exclusive biography of #ChetanKumar and on his life.|access-date=18 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614195321/https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/chetan-kumar/biography.html|archive-date=14 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Illinois]], US
| occupation = Social Worker, Social Activist
| years_active = 2007–present
| nationality = American
| alma mater = [[Yale University]]
| othername = Chetan Ahimsa, Myna Chetan, Aa Dinagalu Chetan
| spouse = Megha S (m. 2020)
}}

'''Chetan Kumar''' ({{lang-kn|ಚೇತನ್ ಕುಮಾರ}}) (born 24 February 1983),<ref name="filmibeat.com"/> also known as '''Chetan Ahimsa''', is an American Kannada-language film actor, public intellectual<ref>{{Citation|last=Asianet Newsable|title=Karnataka Assembly Election: "Wealth and money dictate whether you win," says actor Chetan|date=3 April 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP6bFleX5TA|access-date=9 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Janaki Vasudevan|title=Actor Chetan speaks on corruption, News9. Part 3|date=13 April 2011|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63kDOA5BUtQ|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125816/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63kDOA5BUtQ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Btv Kannada Ɩ ಬಿಟಿವಿ ಕನ್ನಡ|title=Actor Chetan Speech on Gauri Lankesh issue|date=12 September 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JgCJxjN5Vk&t=87s|access-date=9 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=mshamala rachel|title=Lauching of Novel 'Preethiya Arasi' by Myna fame Actor Chethan|date=1 February 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi7o9lFj6hs|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125817/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi7o9lFj6hs|url-status=live}}</ref> and socio-political activist based in India.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-actors-activism/article18822690.ece|title=The actor's activism|date=8 June 2017|work=The Hindu|access-date=10 April 2018|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2017/nov/23/chetan-juggles-acting-and-activism-with-ease-1708410.html|title=Chetan juggles acting and activism with ease|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411111542/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2017/nov/23/chetan-juggles-acting-and-activism-with-ease-1708410.html|archive-date=11 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Amnesty International India|title=Chetan Kumar: Stand with the BRAVE|date=2 November 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndO5XU50UjI|access-date=9 November 2018}}</ref> Chetan made his on-screen debut in the 2007 cult classic film ''[[Aa Dinagalu]]'' and was awarded as the best debut actor in [[Udaya Film Awards]] for the film. His most recent success came in the 2013 hit ''[[Myna (film)|Myna]]'', for which his performance received strong critical acclaim.

==Personal life==
Chetan was born on 24 February 1983 in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], [[U.S.]] His father and mother, both working in US hail from [[Karnataka]], India. Chetan has one younger brother, Ashok Kumar,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.solidarity-us.org/node/1564|title=A guy at the water cooler: Ashok Kumar talks about being socialist in public office {{!}} Solidarity|website=www.solidarity-us.org|language=en|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082325/http://www.solidarity-us.org/node/1564|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> an Oxford University PhD and Fulbright Scholar who is currently teaching economics at Birkbeck University, UK.

Chetan married his long-time partner Megha on February 2, 2020, in a simple, non-religious, and socially-conscious way.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-28|title=Why Chetan and Megha are planning a simple wedding|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/metrolife/metrolife-lifestyle/why-chetan-and-megha-are-planning-a-simple-wedding-798998.html|access-date=2020-09-05|website=Deccan Herald|language=en|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125809/https://www.deccanherald.com/metrolife/metrolife-lifestyle/why-chetan-and-megha-are-planning-a-simple-wedding-798998.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Their wedding ceremony, which was held in an orphanage, was appreciated for initiatives like plantable (seed paper) invitation card, marriage vows presided by a transgender activist, and the 'Indian Constitution' as return gift to all guests.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kannada Actor Chetan, Wife Megha Hand Out Copies of the Constitution at Their Wedding|url=https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/kannada-actor-chetan-wife-megha-hand-out-copes-of-the-constitution-at-their-wedding-2487505.html|access-date=2020-09-05|website=News18|archive-date=15 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315210917/https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/kannada-actor-chetan-wife-megha-hand-out-copes-of-the-constitution-at-their-wedding-2487505.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/actor-chetan-marry-partner-megha-non-ritualistic-and-progressive-ceremony-116539|access-date=2020-09-05|website=www.thenewsminute.com|title=Archived copy|archive-date=21 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121171335/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/actor-chetan-marry-partner-megha-non-ritualistic-and-progressive-ceremony-116539|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Crew|first=The Logical Indian|date=2020-02-14|title=In A Unique Gesture, Kannada Actor Chetan Gifts Copies Of Constitution To Guests At His Wedding|url=https://thelogicalindian.com/exclusive/chetan-megha-wedding-19728|access-date=2020-09-05|website=thelogicalindian.com|language=en|archive-date=15 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215141759/https://thelogicalindian.com/exclusive/chetan-megha-wedding-19728|url-status=live}}</ref> An Fir has been lodged against him for anti social activities he is involved in the Karnataka state being an American citizen. He sparked controversy by tweeting hateful tweet towards the high court justice of Karnataka High Court. As per the reports in media he might be deported back to US for his illegal works.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sandalwood actor Chetan may be deported to US |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/2022/mar/01/sandalwood-actor-chetan-may-be-deported-to-us-2424869.html |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

==Education==
Chetan finished as high school co-valedictorian at [[Marist High School (Chicago, Illinois)|Marist High School]], Chicago, IL. Chetan graduated from Yale University in South Asian Studies with an Emphasis on Comparative Theater (2005). A US citizen, Chetan came to India as a Fulbright Scholar in 2005–06.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Going the extra mile|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/639221/going-extra-mile.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420050840/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/639221/going-extra-mile.html|archive-date=20 April 2019|access-date=10 April 2018|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite news|title=Interview: Social concern is my priority, not cinema, says Chetan|work=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd|url=http://newsable.asianetnews.com/south/interview-actor-chetan-diddalli-tribal-protest-social-concern|url-status=live|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021190846/https://newsable.asianetnews.com/south/interview-actor-chetan-diddalli-tribal-protest-social-concern|archive-date=21 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Yukthi i|title=Chetan Ahimsa interview at FM Rainbow 101.3|date=31 December 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMR0kqyBNHU&t=726s|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125818/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMR0kqyBNHU&t=726s|url-status=live}}</ref>

At ''[[Yale University]]'', Chetan created his own major under the Special Divisional Major guidelines. The B.A. degree, entitled 'South Asian Studies with an Emphasis on Comparative Theater', included competency in two major South Asian languages and classes from literature, anthropology, history, theater, economics, gender studies, and other humanities fields.

Chetan is also well versed in jazz and Carnatic saxophone.<ref>{{Cite web|title=I would like to learn new languages|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/254731/i-would-like-learn-languages.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082107/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/254731/i-would-like-learn-languages.html|archive-date=12 April 2018|access-date=11 April 2018|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite news|date=1 May 2010|title=Chetan's giant leap from Yale to a being a household name in Karnataka – SouthScope|language=en-US|work=SouthScope|url=http://southscope.in/american-born-enlightened-chetan/|url-status=live|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412083522/http://southscope.in/american-born-enlightened-chetan/|archive-date=12 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Prajaa TV Kannada News|title=Prajaa Tv Interview with Aa Dinagalu Chetan Kumar ಆ ದಿನಗಳು ಖ್ಯಾತಿಯ ನಟ ಚೇತನ್ ಕುಮಾರ್ ಸಂದರ್ಶನ – 8 Jan|date=8 January 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU87gsbG8p0&t=245s|accessdate=11 April 2018|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125821/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU87gsbG8p0&t=245s|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Fulbright recipient==
Upon graduation in 2005, Chetan received the twelve-month [[Fulbright Scholarship]] to Karnataka, India, and worked in conjunction with National School of Drama—Bangalore.<ref>{{cite web |title= Indian American actor, Fulbright scholar and Yale alum Chetan Kumar assaulted by police officer in Bengaluru |url= http://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2015/01/29/indian-american-actor-fulbright-scholar-yale-alum-chetan-kumar-assaulted-police-officer-bengaluru/ |publisher= americanbazaaronline.com |date= 29 January 2015 |accessdate= 15 April 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150317230850/http://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2015/01/29/indian-american-actor-fulbright-scholar-yale-alum-chetan-kumar-assaulted-police-officer-bengaluru/ |archive-date= 17 March 2015 |url-status= live }}</ref> He studied the relationship between performance and power, specifically on the Kannada stage. During his Fulbright year, Chetan traveled across Karnataka state with various drama troupes, researching in places like Mysore, Shimoga, Chamarajanagar, Dharwad, Mangalore, and several other locales.

==Career==

===Theatre stage performer===
Before entering films, Chetan was a theatre artist who studied in conjunction with the National School of Drama—Bangalore, appeared in a series of Kannada plays, worked with street-theatre movements, and directed village dramas that emphasized women's empowerment and challenged dowry. Chetan Kumar began his career as a Kannada stage performer in early 2006. He has performed in two Kannada plays ''Sethu Maadhavana Sallaapa'' and ''Sooryasthadinda Sooryodayadavarage'' with Bangalore-based theatre group Vistara in May 2006 and August 2006. Chetan was selected as a lead in films after his work with Kannada theatre and 'Vistara' group.

===Film actor===
Chetan debuted as a hero in Kannada films through director K. M. Chaitanya's debut directorial venture ''[[Aa Dinagalu]]'' in 2007. The film went on to become highly successful at the box office and became critically acclaimed. This also fetched him the [[Udaya Film Awards]] for the best actor. Followed by this film, Chetan has appeared in a cameo role in [[Puneeth Rajkumar]]'s 2009 film ''[[Raam (2009 film)|Raam]]''. He received more critical acclaim for his role in the film ''Birugaali''. Movies like "Suryakanthi" and "Dashamukha" did not fare exceptionally well at the box office. However, Myna which was released in the year 2013 turned out to be a success. He was praised for his performance both by the media as well as the audience. He experimented with a period film [[Noorondu Nenapu]] based on the Marathi novel [[Duniyadari]] which was released on 9 June 2017. He played the lead role of a character named "Shreyas".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2017/jun/08/chetan-is-back-in-college-and-in-love-1614035.html|title=Chetan is back in college and in love|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411174308/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2017/jun/08/chetan-is-back-in-college-and-in-love-1614035.html|archive-date=11 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Though this film performed poorly at the box office, Chetan was admired for his versatile acting. His last film [[Athiratha]] released on 24 November 2017, received positive reviews, but failed due to controversy from opening day. In Chamarajanagara, Karnataka, right-wing extremists tore down posters and prevented the film from being screened due to Chetan's political stances.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kannada-actor-chetan-targeted-lingayat-stand-theatres-playing-his-film-attacked-72258|title=Kannada actor Chetan targeted for Lingayat stand, theatres playing his film attacked|date=27 November 2017|work=The News Minute|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201234818/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kannada-actor-chetan-targeted-lingayat-stand-theatres-playing-his-film-attacked-72258|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Also, an online campaign by Hindu fundamentalists boycotted 'Athiratha' citing Chetan's activism. Chetan's upcoming film is an action thriller titled Maarga which is set to go on floors in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chetan to star in action thriller Maarga - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/chetan-to-star-in-action-thriller-maarga/articleshow/77673866.cms|access-date=2020-09-05|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822113933/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/chetan-to-star-in-action-thriller-maarga/articleshow/77673866.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Philanthropy and social/political activism (2005–present)==
Although Chetan was born and raised in Chicago, United States for 23 years, he is recognized for his fluency in Kannada and has championed Karnataka languages and the Kannada cause. Chetan has supported progressive youth and student organizations, women's collectives, farmers' groups, trade unions, and Dalit and Adivasi movements to fight for equality and justice.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/chetan-fights-for-adivasi-rights/articleshow/56101046.cms|title=This actor is fighting for adivasi rights – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719015434/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/chetan-fights-for-adivasi-rights/articleshow/56101046.cms|archive-date=19 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He has made speeches<ref>{{Citation|last=Tv9 Kannada|title=Actor Chetan Reacted On Separate Lingayat Religion Row|date=19 November 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac01vJvb0GQ&t=30s|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125818/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac01vJvb0GQ&t=30s|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=INDIAN VOICE|title=Actor Chetan Kumar Speech in Basava Samiti auditorium in Bengaluru {{!}} Lingayat Religion|date=25 November 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj7OWTGT3_c&t=64s|access-date=9 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Btv Kannada Ɩ ಬಿಟಿವಿ ಕನ್ನಡ|title=Actor Chetan Speech on Gauri Lankesh issue|date=12 September 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JgCJxjN5Vk|access-date=9 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Vijaynews9 TV|title=Chetan kumar Speech at Manava sarapali Banglore {{!}} Vijaynews9|date=4 February 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKozPpz1liA|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125820/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKozPpz1liA|url-status=live}}</ref> across the state, which at times has also resulted in negative reaction from established parties and fundamentalist groups. Chetan's speeches are known to be socialist, anti-establishment and pro-Kannada.

Chetan's notable victories in activism include a rehabilitation fund from the state government for victims of [[Endosulfan]] (2013), the building of 528 homes for the evicted tribals of Dhidalli, Coorg (2016), the founding of FIRE—Film Industry for Rights and Equality—for the benefits of women, writers, and workers in the Kannada Film Industry (2017), a recognized identity<ref name="auto2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.prajavani.net/news/article/2018/01/18/548089.html|title=ಪ್ರವರ್ಗ–1ಕ್ಕೆ 'ಕಾಡುಗೊಲ್ಲ' ಸೇರ್ಪಡೆ – ಪ್ರಜಾವಾಣಿ|work=ಪ್ರಜಾವಾಣಿ|access-date=11 April 2018|language=kn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082812/http://www.prajavani.net/news/article/2018/01/18/548089.html|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> for the Kadugolla community (2018),<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://kannada.oneindia.com/news/karnataka/govt-nod-for-kadu-golla-community-to-include-st-category-133355.html|title=ಕಾಡುಗೊಲ್ಲ ಸಮುದಾಯಕ್ಕೆ ಎಸ್‌ಟಿ ಮಾನ್ಯತೆ|work=kannada.oneindia.com|access-date=11 April 2018|language=kn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082428/https://kannada.oneindia.com/news/karnataka/govt-nod-for-kadu-golla-community-to-include-st-category-133355.html|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> a state-approved 'minority status' for Lingayats (2018), among others.

With knowledge on history, politics, literature, and current affairs, Chetan is an emerging public intellectual,<ref>{{Citation|last=Suddi TV {{!}} ಸುದ್ದಿ ಟಿವಿ Kannada|title=Katha Nayaka – 11th June 2017 – ಕಥಾ ನಾಯಕ {{!}} ಚೇತನ್ ಕುಮಾರ್ {{!}} ಸುದ್ದಿ ಟಿವಿ|date=12 June 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9cTu4Y-0LI&t=418s|access-date=9 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Suddi TV {{!}} ಸುದ್ದಿ ಟಿವಿ Kannada|title=Actor Chetan Kumar Statement Regarding Political Entry {{!}} ಸುದ್ದಿ ಟಿವಿ|date=10 September 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-i92d0EFDc&t=39s|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125820/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-i92d0EFDc&t=39s|url-status=live}}</ref> who is regularly invited as a panellist for TV and media discussions on socio-political issues.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newsable.asianetnews.com/video/karnataka-assembly-election-wealth-and-money-dictate-whether-you-win-says-actor-chetan|title=Karnataka Assembly Election: "Wealth and money dictate whether you win," says actor Chetan|website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409225943/http://newsable.asianetnews.com/video/karnataka-assembly-election-wealth-and-money-dictate-whether-you-win-says-actor-chetan|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He has been voicing his views through writings<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/639701/tipus-legacy-politics-misreading.html|title=Tipu's legacy: politics and misreading|website=Deccan Herald|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082257/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/639701/tipus-legacy-politics-misreading.html|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> about social concerns (e.g., casting couch, water politics, against steel bridge construction,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/bengalurus-anti-steel-bridge-movement-sound-politics-questionable-leadership-51490|title=Bengaluru's anti-steel bridge movement: Sound politics but questionable 'leadership'|date=16 October 2016|work=The News Minute|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109111942/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/bengalurus-anti-steel-bridge-movement-sound-politics-questionable-leadership-51490|archive-date=9 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> against communal politics<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/bangalore/others/hindutva-and-hindu-are-different-entities/articleshow/62479806.cms|title=Hindutva and Hindu are different entities|website=Bangalore Mirror|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412083751/http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/bangalore/others/hindutva-and-hindu-are-different-entities/articleshow/62479806.cms|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and reservations for the marginalized) and recent government policies (Land Acquisition Bill, intolerance, and environmental destruction).

Chetan has been actively organizing, speaking at and helping lead statewide socio-political seminars and campaigns such as pro-class/caste/gender equality measures, private sector reservations, all-women police stations demands, youth awareness, anti-fascism discussions, and grassroots mobilization with farmers/student/backwards/workers/women's/Dalits/youth organizations. Regions of work across Karnataka have been Bengaluru, Bidar, Mysuru, Kalaburgi, Chamrajanagar, Kolar, Kodagu, Hassan, Hubli-Dharwad, Haveri, Chikkabalapura, Davangere, Mandya, Tumkur, Shimoga, Chitradurga, and Dakshin Kannad. Chetan, a staunch [[Ambedkarite]], has been consistently involved in [[Dalit]] equality and dignity struggles both on-ground and through his social media writings. He writes: "Atrocities on Dalits— one-way, top-down oppression-- are not occasional occurrences. Casteism is systematic and institutionally ingrained… With such a plethora of injustices against Dalits, it’s about time we stop relegating the discussion on Dalit equality merely to reservations" <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/stardom-and-society-rare-young-stars-who-speak-out-social-issues-47518|title=Stardom and society: The rare young stars who speak out on social issues|date=3 August 2016|work=The News Minute|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923133821/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/stardom-and-society-rare-young-stars-who-speak-out-social-issues-47518|archive-date=23 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

His social work/activism includes the following:
* India against Corruption (2011)<ref>{{Citation|last=Janaki Vasudevan|title=Actor Chetan speaks on corruption, News9. Part 3|date=13 April 2011|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63kDOA5BUtQ|accessdate=11 April 2018|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125821/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63kDOA5BUtQ|url-status=live}}</ref> Chetan joined the pan-Indian anti-corruption movement through on-ground protests and several in-studio TV interviews/discussions in Kannada and English.
* Anti-Superstition (2014)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thelogicalindian.com/news/adivasi-karnataka-actor-apology-government/|title=Working For Rehabilitation of Adivasis, Branded A Naxalite; Karnataka Actor Asks Apology From BJP Leader|date=9 April 2018|work=The Logical Indian|access-date=11 April 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082333/https://thelogicalindian.com/news/adivasi-karnataka-actor-apology-government/|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> - Chetan along with local activists was part of educating Koraga tribal school children of Dakshin Kannad against the discriminatory practice of 'Ajjalu Paddhathi' where tribal women are forced to consume the hair and nails of pregnant upper-caste women. Media exposure of this issue compelled the state government to ban 'Ajjalu Paddhathi' via its 2017 Anti-Superstition Bill.
* LGBTQIA (2016)<ref>{{Citation|title=Colourful Kamanabillu – Eps 12- Sandalwood Star Chetan Ahimsa Being An LGBTQIA Ally – RJ Shilok|url=https://soundcloud.com/radioactivecr90-4mhz/colourful-kamanabillu-season-2-eps-12-sandalwood-star-chethan-ahimsa-being-an-lgbtqia-allie-rj-shilok|language=en|accessdate=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204084449/https://soundcloud.com/radioactivecr90-4mhz/colourful-kamanabillu-season-2-eps-12-sandalwood-star-chethan-ahimsa-being-an-lgbtqia-allie-rj-shilok|archive-date=4 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> - Chetan has openly advocated for the rights of sexual minorities and contested the discriminatory Article 377.
* Mahadayi/Kalasa-Banduri Nala (2015–present)<ref>{{Citation|last=Suvarna News {{!}} ಸುವರ್ಣ ನ್ಯೂಸ್|title="Actor Chetan Slams Political Parties Over Mahadayi Issue" {{!}} ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಪಕ್ಷಗಳ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಆಕ್ರೋಶ..!!|date=26 December 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOFWor1vICM&t=10s|accessdate=11 April 2018|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125822/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOFWor1vICM&t=10s|url-status=live}}</ref> - Chetan has championed drinking water facilities for those alongside the Mahadayi River in Hubli, Belagavi, and Gadag districts through on-ground protest, TV discussions and a published article.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/mahadayi-water-dispute-farmers-to-observe-bandh-in-north-karnataka-tomorrow/articleshow/62255503.cms|title=Mahadayi water dispute: Farmers to observe bandh in north Karnataka tomorrow – Times of India ►|work=The Times of India|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523032814/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/mahadayi-water-dispute-farmers-to-observe-bandh-in-north-karnataka-tomorrow/articleshow/62255503.cms|archive-date=23 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Anganwadi (2017) Mid-Day Meal (2018) Protests<ref>{{Citation|last=Btv Kannada Ɩ ಬಿಟಿವಿ ಕನ್ನಡ|title=Food Activist Protest: Meeting failed: Actor Chetan and CITU President Varalakshmi reacts|date=9 February 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaK7T7I2bvM|accessdate=11 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Btv Kannada Ɩ ಬಿಟಿವಿ ಕನ್ನಡ|title=Actor Chetan supports Food Activist Protest{{!}}{{!}}ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಮಾತುಕತೆ ವಿಫಲ{{!}}{{!}}Meeting failed|date=9 February 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr1McAryTt8|accessdate=11 April 2018|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125822/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr1McAryTt8|url-status=live}}</ref> - Chetan joined hands with statewide women workers' campaigns for increased wages for government employees.
* Lake Rejuvenation (2017) - Chetan worked with social workers and environmentalists in Hassan and Kalburgi to remove mud and rejuvenate lakes during periods of drought.
* Anti-Hindi Imposition & Karnataka State Flag (2017)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/support-against-hindi-imposition-grows-organisations-non-hindi-states-gather-bengaluru-65236|title=Support against Hindi imposition grows, organisations from non-Hindi states gather in Bengaluru|date=15 July 2017|work=The News Minute|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214010516/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/support-against-hindi-imposition-grows-organisations-non-hindi-states-gather-bengaluru-65236|archive-date=14 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> - Chetan challenged the imposition of Hindi in government institutions in Bengaluru and pushed for a government-sanctioned, independent Karnataka state flag by attending protests, round-table conferences and TV panel discussions. He has also advocated for Karnataka domicile representation in the private and government sector.
* "I am Gauri" campaign(2017)<ref>{{Citation|last=Btv Kannada Ɩ ಬಿಟಿವಿ ಕನ್ನಡ|title=Actor Chetan Speech on Gauri Lankesh issue|date=12 September 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JgCJxjN5Vk|accessdate=11 April 2018|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125823/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JgCJxjN5Vk|url-status=live}}</ref> Chetan stood in solidarity against the attacks on activists/progressives/intellectuals in light of the Gauri Lankesh murder through protests and speeches in Bengaluru and Kolar. He made the following statement in his speech during "I am Gauri" campaign: "Gauri Lankesh represented the voice of dissent. The voice against the culture of hatred being propagated in Karnataka. She did not bow down to the threats by the cowardly lot. She stood strong. They were scared of her bravery and hence, they killed her"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/i-am-gauri-bengaluru-thousands-turn-solidarity-protest-journalists-murder-68298|title=I Am Gauri: In Bengaluru, thousands turn up in solidarity to protest journalist's murder|date=12 September 2017|work=The News Minute|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218172706/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/i-am-gauri-bengaluru-thousands-turn-solidarity-protest-journalists-murder-68298|archive-date=18 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Expressed solidarity with Indian #MeToo campaign (2018)
* Protest to retain BBMP children's playground from being illegally encroached political vested interests.(2018-2020)
* Indian Farmers Protest against Farm Laws 2020-2021 - Chetan expressed solidarity to farmers agitation against Farm Laws passed in 2020.<ref>{{Citation|title=Actor Chetan Support To Farmers Protest {{!}} Karnataka Bandh {{!}} TV5 Kannada|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fM6b2U-DkA|language=en|access-date=2021-04-12}}</ref>
* [[Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation]] (KSRTC) Strike over wage-related issues 2021 - Chetan supported the cause of Karnataka Road Transport Corporation of demanding the implementation of salary system as per the 6th pay commission for the workers of road transport corporation. He held press conference to appeal to government for resolving the conflict between employees and government.<ref>{{Citation|title=ಸರ್ಕಾರ Transport ನೌಕರರನ್ನ sack ಮಾಡಿದಷ್ಟು ಅವರು Unite ಆಗ್ತಾರೆ: ACTOR CHETAN|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISY3vKBUjYg|language=en|access-date=2021-04-12}}</ref>
* In 2022, Chetan was arrested because of his tweet about the Justice Krishna Dixit who was presiding over the hijab issue in the Karnataka High Court. Sheshadripuram police have filed a suo motto complaint. Justice Krishna Dixit in the past was criticized by the public for using misogynistic comments in the order he passed while granting bail to an accused in a rape case. Actor Chetan highlighted this comment of the judge in his tweet for which he was arrested. People on social media criticized the police for having booked Chetan in a frivolous case and huge support poured in for Chetan from across the world.<ref>{{Citation|title=Chetan Kumar: Indian actor arrested for tweet on Karnataka hijab row judge|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60489203|date=2022-02-23|website=BBC News }}</ref>

===Endosulfan Victim Rehabilitation (2012–2013, 2015)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Chetan-helps-endosulfan-victims/articleshow/21526395.cms|title=Chetan helps endosulfan victims|work=The Times of India|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719015437/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Chetan-helps-endosulfan-victims/articleshow/21526395.cms|archive-date=19 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>===
Chetan lent his support to a fight demanding 24-hour medical care and a monthly compensation increase (from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3,000–5,000) for Endosulfan victims in Karnataka's coastal belt. The state government met the demands by allocating Rs. 72–90 crores for rehabilitation of [[pesticide poisoning]] victims, which it continues to provide.

===Dhidalli Adivasis Rehabilitation Protests (2016–2017)===
Chetan led the large-scale campaign to rehabilitate 3,000 Coorg tribals after their unlawful displacement in December 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2016/dec/19/actor-chetan-says-he-will-return-to-kodagu-forest-1550977.html|title=Actor Chetan says He will Return to Kodagu Forest|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411111548/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2016/dec/19/actor-chetan-says-he-will-return-to-kodagu-forest-1550977.html|archive-date=11 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/chetans-fight-for-diddalli-adivasis-continues/articleshow/56178823.cms|title=Chetan's fight for diddalli adivasis continues – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719015441/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/chetans-fight-for-diddalli-adivasis-continues/articleshow/56178823.cms|archive-date=19 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Kannada Suddi|title=Actor Chethan Meets CM Siddaramaiah About Madikeri Tribal Problems|date=20 December 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsohCMpn7S0&t=17s|accessdate=11 April 2018|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125823/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsohCMpn7S0&t=17s|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Kannada Suddi|title=Actor Chethan Supported Madikeri Tribal People Protest {{!}} Exclusive|date=17 December 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsuVaz-brqE|accessdate=11 April 2018|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125823/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsuVaz-brqE|url-status=live}}</ref> Homes are currently being constructed under government auspices near Kushalnagara at a cost of Rs. 4 lakhs/home for 528+ families.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://publictv.in/sandalwood-actor-chethan-visit-basavanahalli-at-madikeri/|title=ಕೇಳದೆ ಕೊಡುವ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಮುಂದಿನ ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಬರಬೇಕಿದೆ: ನಟ ಚೇತನ್|date=11 March 2018|work=Public TV News|access-date=11 April 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412145459/http://publictv.in/sandalwood-actor-chethan-visit-basavanahalli-at-madikeri/|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2018, the Bharatiya Janata Party [[BJP]] officially [[chargesheet]]ed the Dhidalli struggle as ‘[[Naxalite]]-inspired,’ listing Chetan's name as responsible. Chetan has since challenged these allegations citing that the Dhidalli protest was non-violent and constitutional, demanding an apology from the Law Minister and BJP state President.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/actor-chetan-seeks-apology-from-bjp/article23428082.ece|title=Actor Chetan seeks apology from BJP|author= |date=3 April 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=10 April 2018|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125809/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/actor-chetan-seeks-apology-from-bjp/article23428082.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Lingayat Independent Religion (2017–present)===
Chetan played a significant role in the ongoing demand for an independent [[Lingayatism|Lingayat]] religion<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/chaos-at-lingayat-meet/articleshow/60297245.cms|title=Chaos at Lingayat meet|website=Bangalore Mirror|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411175811/http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/chaos-at-lingayat-meet/articleshow/60297245.cms|archive-date=11 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> under the umbrella of Basava's philosophy and the Vachana literature. He participated in pro-Lingayat religion forums in Bengaluru, Kalburgi, Hassan as well as via several TV discussions and interviews.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/b-s-yeddyurappa-playing-divisive-politics-actor-chetan/articleshow/60301614.cms|title=B S Yeddyurappa playing divisive politics: Actor Chetan – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614010018/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/b-s-yeddyurappa-playing-divisive-politics-actor-chetan/articleshow/60301614.cms|archive-date=14 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2018, the Karnataka state government recommended to the Centre that Lingayats be given 'minority religion' status.

===Kadugolla Identity Fight (2017–2018)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kannadanewsnow.com/kannada/top-6/cm-9/|title=ಜಾತಿ ಪಟ್ಟಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಡುಗೊಲ್ಲ, ಹಟ್ಟಿಗೊಲ್ಲ ಹೆಸರು ಸೇರ್ಪಡೆಗೆ C.S.ದ್ವಾರಕನಾಥ್, ನಟ ಚೇತನ್ ಸಿಎಂ ಗೆ ಮನವಿ.!|work=kannadanewsnow.com|access-date=11 April 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082424/http://kannadanewsnow.com/kannada/top-6/cm-9/|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>===
Chetan spearheaded<ref name="auto2"/> and won a state-recognized identity for the Kadugolla community, Kannada-speaking, sheep-rearing [[Adivasi]]s with distinct socio-cultural practices and religious icons.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/metrolife/metrolife-move/don-t-let-your-identity-die-678715.html|title=Don't let your identity die|date=3 July 2018|work=Deccan Herald|access-date=9 November 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109111916/https://www.deccanherald.com/metrolife/metrolife-move/don-t-let-your-identity-die-678715.html|archive-date=9 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE)<ref name=FF1>{{Cite web |url=http://fire-film.com/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=23 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623123728/http://fire-film.com/ |archive-date=23 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/sandalwood-fire-kannada-film-industry-setting-body-address-gender-issues-59116|title=Sandalwood on FIRE: Kannada film industry is setting up a body to address gender issues|date=23 March 2017|work=The News Minute|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214063835/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/sandalwood-fire-kannada-film-industry-setting-body-address-gender-issues-59116|archive-date=14 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>===
Founded a Kannada Film Industry-based association called FIRE<ref name=FF1 /> (officially registered in 2017) that works to tackle sexual harassment in the workplace, improve livelihoods of film workers and technicians, and establish a writers' guild<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/chetan-makes-headway-in-starting-a-scriptwriters-association-for-sandalwood/articleshow/62969401.cms|title=Chetan makes headway in starting a scriptwriters association for Sandalwood – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719015439/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/chetan-makes-headway-in-starting-a-scriptwriters-association-for-sandalwood/articleshow/62969401.cms|archive-date=19 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> with certification and structured payments for writers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/the-kannada-film-industry-needs-substantive-reform-chetan/articleshow/56271400.cms|title=The Kannada Film Industry needs substantive reform: Chetan – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719084449/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/the-kannada-film-industry-needs-substantive-reform-chetan/articleshow/56271400.cms|archive-date=19 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Suddi TV {{!}} ಸುದ್ದಿ ಟಿವಿ Kannada|title=Katha Nayaka – 11th June 2017 – ಕಥಾ ನಾಯಕ {{!}} ಚೇತನ್ ಕುಮಾರ್ {{!}} ಸುದ್ದಿ ಟಿವಿ|date=12 June 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9cTu4Y-0LI|accessdate=11 April 2018}}</ref> FIRE facilitated the allocation of 150+ homes for economically-backward cinema workers.

===Rural school instruction (2005–2006)<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|title=Chicago-born Yale graduate Chetan Kumar came to India on a Fulbright scholarship to study Kannada theatre. He stayed on, travelled, and learned many concepts, taught and learnt from children before making his mark in Kannada films. But between shoots, he continues to visit children at his family-run school near Mysore. He claims he doesn't just teach, he also learns and unlearns many notions. And that, for him, is the essence of education.|url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA5LzA3LzA3I1BjMDA5MTE&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412145305/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA5LzA3LzA3I1BjMDA5MTE&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom|archive-date=12 April 2018|access-date=11 April 2018|website=epaper.timesofinia.com}}</ref>===
Chetan taught critical thinking and current events at a K-10 village school in Mullur, Karnataka, 25 km outside of Mysore, starting in September 2005. Specific academic techniques included interactive sessions, discussion forums, writing assignments, guest speakers, and meta-syllabus-based studies.<ref>{{cite web |author= Ranendran, Nuvena |title= An actor with the heart of a teacher |url= http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/131006/commentary-sunday-chronicle/article/actor-heart-teacher |work= [[Deccan Chronicle]]|date= 6 October 2013 |accessdate= 15 April 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150415211837/http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/131006/commentary-sunday-chronicle/article/actor-heart-teacher |archive-date= 15 April 2015 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

===Women's empowerment (2005–2006)===
During his time as a Fulbright scholar, Chetan led women's empowerment programs by using drama performances as media for economic and social change for village women of Chamrajnagar, Karnataka. Chetan directed dramas which spread awareness on the harms of dowry and creatively portrayed ways of overcoming patriarchy. He also helped organize the event-- 'Ujwala Andolana' in 2006—where 5,000 women participated in cultural performances.

==Filmography==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Key
| style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}}
|
| Denotes films that have not yet been released
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Film !! Role !! Language !! Notes
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Aa Dinagalu]]'' || Chetan || Kannada || [[Udaya Film Awards|Udaya Film Award for Best Debut Actor]]
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Raam (2009 film)|Raam]]'' || Himself || Kannada || Cameo
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Birugaali]]'' || Hacchi || Kannada ||
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Suryakaanti]]'' || Rohith / Surya || Kannada ||
|-
| 2012 || ''[[Dashamukha]]'' || Agni || Kannada ||
|-
| 2013 || ''[[Myna (film)|Myna]]'' || Sathyamurthy || Kannada ||
|-
| 2017 || ''[[Noorondu Nenapu]]'' || Shreyas Bahaddur || Kannada ||
|-
| 2017 || ''[[Athiratha]]'' || Akash || Kannada ||
|-
| 2021 || ''[[Ranam (2021 film)|Ranam]]'' || Satyagrahi || Kannada || Released in 2021
|-
|-
| 2021 || style="background:#FFFFCC;" |''Maarga''{{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}}
| TBA|| Kannada || ''Filming''
|-
|2021
|''100 Crores''{{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}}
|TBA
|Telugu, Kannada
|Telugu Debut, Post-production
|-
|2021
|''DTS''{{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}}
|TBA
|Telugu, Kannada
|''Filming''
|}

==Awards and recognitions==
{| class="wikitable" width=100%
|-
! width=5%|Year
! width=40%|Award
! width=20%| Category
! width=20%| Nominated work
! width=30%| Result
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2008
| style="text-align:center;"|Udaya Film Awards
| style="text-align: center;" |Best Actor
| style="text-align: center;"|''[[Aa Dinagalu]]''
| {{won}}
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|5736441|Chethan Kumar}}
* {{Twitter|ChetanAhimsa}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Chetan}}
[[Category:Male actors in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Ambedkarites]]
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Chicago]]

Lal Singh Dil

2021-11-01T22:43:37Z

217.138.75.226:

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox writer 
| name = Lal Singh Dil 
| image = Lal-singh-dil-photo-by-amarjit-chandan 4.jpg
| image_size =
| alt = Photograph of Punjabi revolutionary poet Lal Singh Dil
| caption = at Samrala, 1993 by Amarjit Chandan
| pseudonym =
| birth_name = Lal Singh
| birth_date = {{Birth date |1943|04|11|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Ludhiana district|Ghungrali Sikhan]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], [[British India]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2007|08|14|1943|04|11|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Ludhiana]], [[Punjab, India]]
| resting_place =
| occupation = Poet, writer, political activist
| language = Punjabi
| nationality =
| citizenship = Indian
| education = Passed High school, studied for a college degree, for a teachers' training course and an honours course in Punjabi literature but completed none of these
| alma_mater =
| period =
| genre =
| subject =
| movement =
| notableworks = Three collections of poetry - ''Setluj Di Hawa'', ''Bahut Sarrey Suraj'', and ''Satthar'', autobiography, ''Dastaan'', and a long poem, ''Aj Billa Phir Aaya''
| spouse = Unmarried
| partner =
| children =
| relatives =
| awards = honoured and awarded by small town literary organizations of Indian Punjab
| signature =
| signature_alt =
| website = 
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'''Lal Singh Dil''' (Punjabi ਲਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਦਿਲ) (11 April 1943 – 14 August 2007) was one of the major revolutionary Punjabi poets emerging out of the [[Naxalite]] (Marxist-Leninist) Movement in the [[Indian Punjab]] towards the late sixties of the 20th century. The Movement was a political failure and died down quickly, but it brought in revolutionary changes in the subject matter, language and idiom, tone and tenor of [[Punjabi poetry]]. Referring to the impact of the Naxalite Movement in Punjab, sociologist Paramjit S. Judge says, "The consequences of the Naxalite movement have been almost ephemeral and have hardly made an impact on the social and political spheres... Its positive contribution is that it has revolutionized Punjabi poetry which can never be traditional and romantic again."<ref>Judge 1992, p.156</ref> "The prominent poets belonging to this school are: Pash, Lal Singh Dil, Harbhajan Halvarvi, Darshan Khatkar, Amarjit Chandan and [[Sant Ram Udasi]]," says Paramjit S Judge.<ref>Judge 1992, p.154</ref> Prof Ronki Ram called him "one of the most popular and serious poets of the Naxal Movement in Punjab of the late 1960s."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ambedkartimes.com/ronkiram.htm#lal |title=Lal Singh Dil (April 11, 1943 – August 14, 2007) |access-date=28 May 2021 |first=Ronki |last=Ram |date=15 August 2007}}</ref>

== Biography ==

=== Birth and family background ===
Lal Singh Dil was born on 11 April in 1943 in a [[Ramdasia]] [[Chamar]], (an 'outcaste' community of tanners) family in Ghungrali Sikhãn (Punjabi text: 'ਜਨਮ ਸਥਾਨ: ਘੂੰਗਰਾਲੀ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ')<ref name="Dilsee">Dil 1998,see "About the Author" (ਲੇਖਕ ਬਾਰੇ) by publisher/editor pp.221-22</ref> near [[Samrala]], a small town in Punjab ([[Malwa, Punjab|Malwa]] region) in then [[British India]], now Indian Punjab. His was a family without money, without land, without education, without any financial and intellectual resources that could give Lal Singh a start for upward social or economic mobility. The family was fitted to perform only manual and menial agricultural labour, and Lal Singh's father, almost throughout his life, worked as an agricultural labourer on someone's land. The family, like most of the Ramadasia community in the Malwa region of Punjab, formally subscribed to [[Sikhism]].<ref>Ghai,2 November 2011</ref>{{full citation needed|date=September 2015}}

=== Education ===
Lal Singh Dil passed his high school examination from the Government School, Samrala in 1960-61, being the first in his clan to pass tenth standard, while working as a wage labourer, and go to college.<ref>Dutt 2012, Introduction p.xxxiv</ref> He joined A.S. College at another town, [[Khanna, Ludhiana|Khanna]], close by, but dropped out after one year. He joined Junior Teachers' Training course in 1964 at SHS College in Bahilolpur, another close-by town, but gave up after two years without completing the course. He spent a year studying for Gayani, an honours course in [[Punjabi literature]], but gave up without completing the course. During this period Lal Singh Dil supported himself by working as a wage labourer and herder, and by giving tuitions. (Punjabi text:'ਵਿੱਦਿਆ: ਮੈਟਿ੍ਕ (1960–61) ਸਰਕਾਰੀ ਹਾਈ ਸਕੂਲ, ਇਕਸਾਲ ਏ. ਐਸ ਕਾਲਜ ਖੱਨਾ ਵਿਚ ਪੜਿਆ, ਦੋ ਸਾਲ ਸ.ਹ.ਸ ਬਹਿਲੋਲਪੁਰ `ਚ ਜੂਨੀਅਰ ਬੇਸਿਕ ਟ੍ਰੇਨਿੰਗ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਲਾਏ,ਇਕ ਸਾਲ ਗਿਆਨੀ ਦੀ ਤਿਆਰੀ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ।…ਪੜਦਿਆਂ ਖੇਤ ਮਜ਼ਦੂਰੀ ਕੀਤੀ, ਰਾਜ ਮਿਸਤ੍ਰੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਦਿਹਾੜੀ ਕੀਤੀ…') <ref name="Dilsee" />

=== Discrimination ===
Right from his childhood he faced discrimination because he belonged to a '[[lower caste]]'. This is what he writes in the opening paragraph of his autobiography, ''Dastaan'': 'I have endured the ordeal by fire time and again in my life, and it is a miracle that I have been able to emerge unscathed.'<ref>Dutt 2012, p.3</ref> What that fire was he illustrates with an example in the next few lines of the same opening paragraph. While as a small boy of five or six, out of innocence, he dares to bathe at a [[jat]] farmer's well. He is immediately dragged away, whip-lashed thrice and, driven out by the farmer's son. As a 'chamar' he is not permitted to bathe at the well of an upper caste. He is pushed into this 'fire' again and again, at school, at college where he dares to fall in love with an upper caste girl, and even within the egalitarian Naxalite movement.'Lal Singh Dil was born in a 'chamar' family. Reference to this occurs at many places in his poetry. In his autobiography he has written freely about the prevalence of the arrogance of caste superiority in his locality, at his school, and in the Naxalite organizations and among the police,' says Amarjit Chandan. (Punjabi text:'ਲਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਦਿਲ ਚਮਾਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਜੰਮਿਆ । ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਇਹਦੀ ਕਵਿਤਾ ਵਿਚ ਕਈ ਥਾਈਂ ਆਈ ਹੈ । ਸਵੈਜੀਵਨੀ ਵਿਚ ਇਹਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਿਹੜੇ, ਸਕੂਲ ਤੇ ਨਕਸਲੀ ਪਾਰਟੀ ਅਤੇ ਫੇਰ ਪੁਲਸ ਦੇ ਜ਼ਾਤ ਅਭੀਮਾਨ ਬਾਰੇ ਖੁੱਲ਼ ਕੇ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਹੈ')<ref>Chandan 1998, p.6</ref>

=== In the Naxalite Movement ===
Lal Singh was introduced to the [[Marxist ideology]] by one Comrade Jagjit Singh Baghi of his own town in 1968 (Punjabi text:'ਪ੍ਰੇਰਨਾ: ਸਾਹਿਤ ਤੇ ਸਮਾਜਵਾਦੀ ਸੋਚ ਦੀ ਪਹਿਚਾਣ 1968 `ਚ ਕਾਮਰੇਡ ਜਗਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਾਗੀ, ਸਮਰਾਲਾ ਨੇ ਕਰਾਈ ।')<ref>Dil 1998, see "About the Author" (ਲਖਕ ਬਾਰੇ) by publisher/editor pp.221-22</ref> This is how he himself describes his enthusiasm for the Naxalite movement: 'The news of Naxalbari spread like wildfire. Those days I was working as a labourer on daily wages. I carried heavy loads up and down a ladder, and all this activity gave me strange energy. I felt now I would be able to accomplish what I could have achieved had I been present during the upsurge in Vietnam. I felt I was on the threshold of realizing the imminent Revolution.<ref>Dutt 2012, P.53</ref> He took part in a Naxlite agitation (Birla Seed Farm Agitation,<ref>Judge 1992, pp.81-82</ref> [[Ropar]]) in 1969 and later, in the same year, was part of a group of Naxalites who unsuccessfully raided the police station in the town of [[Chamkaur]] on 30 April 1969.<ref> Judge 1992, p.82</ref> He fled from the scene but was soon arrested and faced severe police torture during a long police remand. He was tried and sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labour, in his own words (Punjabi text:'ਛੇ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਦੀ ਬਾਮੁਸ਼ੱਕਤ ਕੈਦ…').<ref>Dil 1998, p.115</ref> He remained in jail for sometime between middle of 1969 and 1971. After release from jail in 1971, fearing police persecution, facing neglect from family, friends and comrades, and lacking support from any quarter he fled to [[Uttar Pradesh]], another Indian province. 'Pushed out of Punjab, Lal Singh left for Uttar Pradesh towards the end of 1971. The main reasons for running away from Punjab were his disillusionment with the political Movement and the fear of police persecution.' (Punjabi text:'ਲਾਲ 1971 ਦੇ ਅਖੀਰ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦਾ ਧੱਕਿਆ ਯੂ.ਪੀ ਚਲੇ ਗਿਆ। ਓਥੇ ਜਾਨ ਦਾ ਵਡਾ ਕਾਰਨ ਸਿਆਸੀ ਲਹਿਰ ਤੋਂ ਹੋਇਆ ਮੋਹਭੰਗ ਸੀ ਤੇ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਦਾ ਡਰ ਵੀ।' )<ref name="Chandan">Chandan 1998, p.8</ref>

=== In Uttar Pradesh ===
In Uttar Pradesh he moved from one town or village to another, seeking one or another kind of subsistence employment about which he talks extensively in his autobiography. His friend, and story writer, [[Prem Parkash]] says: 'I received one letter from [[Lakhimpur Kheri]]. It was evident from his letters, many of which are lost, that sometimes he worked with the [[Imam]] in the mosque, and sometimes he was caretaker of the factory, sometimes he looked after the orchards, sometimes he became a cloth vendor moving from village to village. He also lived in a timber godown.' <ref>Dutt 2012, see Foreword by Prem Parkash](1998).p.xiii . (translated from Punjabi by Nirupama Dutt)</ref> Sometime in 1972 he had converted to [[Islam]] because he believed there was no caste discrimination in Islam; and also in the hope of marrying, a hope that did not materialize. This is what he says to his friend Amarjit Chandan in an undated long letter written in 1973: '…First of all let me tell you that I have converted to Islam. This happened about a year ago.' (Punjabi text:' ... ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਦਸੱ ਦਿਆਂ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਹਾਂ। ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਲ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ... ' )<ref>Chandan 1998, p.9</ref>

While he was a student at college he had become enamoured of a few girls but it all remained a one-sided affair, his caste always acting as the insurmountable barrier. In Uttar Pradesh, after his conversion to Islam, he hoped his caste would not come in the way and he would be able to find a woman who would be willing to marry him. But this never happened. This is what Prem Parkash writes: 'Lal has not written about any love affair with a woman in his memoirs, he has only given indications of his fantasies. He even talks in abstractions. Comrades accuse him of several things but I am sure he has never seen a woman unclothed.'<ref>Dutt 2012, see Foreword by Prem Parkash p.xvi (1998) (Translated from Punjabi by Nirupama Dutt)</ref> Even while in Uttar Pradesh he did not give up writing poetry. He was in contact with [[Urdu]] poets and wrote many [[Ghazals]] in Urdu, but he continued to write in Punjabi. 'Between 1972 and 1983 I came into contact with Urdu poets of the town [[Mohammadi, Uttar Pradesh|Mohammadi]],' writes Dil. (Punjabi text:'ਬਹੱਤਰ ਤੋਂ ਤਿਰਿਆਸੀ ਤਕ ਮੈਂ ਕਸਬਾ ਮੁਹਮੰਦੀ ਦੇ ਉਰਦੂ ਸ਼ਾਇਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਸੰਪਰਕ `ਚ ਆਇਆ ।')<ref>Dil 2006, P.30</ref> 'While here, in Uttar Pradesh, he wrote his poems published as ''Bahut Sarrey Suraj'' (So many Suns) ' (Punjabi text:'ਓਥੇ ਰਹਿੰਦਿਆਂ ਇਹਨੇ 'ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਸੂਰਜ' ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਕਵਿਤਾਵਾਂ ਲਿਖਿਆਂ ।')<ref name="Chandan" /> in 1982.

=== Back home and a tea vendor at a bus station, death ===
He returned to his home town Samrala sometime in 1983. Like a devout Muslim he continued to say his daily [[namaaz]] but also remained addicted to drinking. He kept on writing poetry under his old name, but he could not find any regular employment or source of income. 'The comrades of his revolutionary days were now editors, executives, professors, businessmen or expatriates. The spring thunder was over and everyone had returned to the comfort zone of their class structures. Dil had his kachcha home in the run-down Kang Mohalla or Chamarian (a chamar ghetto), as some referred to it. He was at a loose end and did not know what to do,' writes Niupama Dutt. He did receive some financial support from a few friends. Finally, he ended up as a tea vendor at a bus terminal close to his hometown, Samarala.<ref>Dutt 2012, Introduction p.xxii</ref> He died in 2007 in a hospital in Ludhiana.<ref>Ronki Ram, 5 August 2007</ref>

== Writings ==

=== Poetry and autobiography ===
Lal Singh Dil had started writing poetry even while at school. Some of his poems were published in well-known Punjabi magazines, [http://rananayar.wordpress.com/2009/10/18/of-%E2%80%98little-magazines%E2%80%99-in-punjabi-a-historical-overview/%20 ''Lakeer'', ''Preetlari'' and ''Nagmani''], even before his first collection of poetry was published. He published three collections of poetry: ''Setluj Di Hawa'' (Breeze from the [[Sutlej]]) 1971; ''Bahut Sarey Suraj'' (So Many Suns) 1982; and ''Satthar'' (A Sheaf) 1997. A collected volume of all his poems titled ''Naglok'' (The World of the [[Nāga]]s) was published in 1998 and 2007. He also wrote a long poem titled '''Aj Billa Phir Aaya''' (Billa Came Again Today), which was published in 2009, posthumously.

He published his autobiography, ''Dastaan'', in 1998, containing a Foreword by Amarjit Chandan and an Afterword by Prem Parkash.

Although he had converted to Islam, he continued to publish his works under his pre-conversion name.

=== Translations of his works ===
I English translations of five of his poems were published in [[Modern Poetry in Translation]], Third Series Number Eighteen, ''Transitions'', in 2012.

II An English translation by [[Nirupama Dutt]] of his autobiography, ''Dastaan'', along with his 20 poems, has been published as: ''[http://www.penguinbooksindia.com/en/content/poet-revolution Poet of the Revolution: The Memoirs and Poems of Lal Singh Dil]'' (Viking Penguin, 2012).

III An English translation of his one hundred poems titled ''Exclusion Deprivation and Nothingness Lal Singh Dil Selected Poems'' translated by T C Ghai has been published by LG Publishers Distributors, Delhi in 2017.

== About his poetry ==
His contemporary revolutionary poets, [[Pash]] foremost among them, sang of a revolution round the corner, using blood and thunder imagery to denounce, frighten and challenge the '[[class enemies]]', predicting the imminent fall of the '[[comprador]] [[Bourgeoisie|bourgeois state]]'. Lal Singh Dil shared their optimism, but in most of his poetry he remained a poet of the understatement. His poetry is revolutionary in another very important sense. It focuses, for the first time in Punjabi poetry, on the lives of men and women and children who are absolutely at the lowest rungs of the Indian society, the social and economic out-castes - the [[Dalits]], the landless labourers and farm workers, the daily wagers, and many nomadic and wandering 'non-Aryan' tribes (who he believes were the original inhabitants of India, and whom he calls the ''Naglok'' through the title of the collected work of his poems) conquered by the invading [[Aryan]]s; the people to be exploited and humiliated, to be used and abused and kept at the margins of everything decent and worthwhile. His poetry is a narrative of the wretched of the earth told by one of them.<ref>Ghai 2012, pp.50-51</ref>

Dil was not a great reader of books. He just did not have the means to buy or access many books or other written materials. His understanding of life, of history, religion and society, has been mostly picked up from his environment and experience, which makes his poetry distinctive and different, for it has a quality of the raw, the unformed and the [[People|folk]]. His poetry gives voice to the voiceless, the ignored and in their language, through their unsophisticated mixture of truth, prejudice, anger, bitterness and humour, desire for revenge, and for transcendence as in [[fairy tales]].

== Notes ==
<references />

== References ==
• Judge, Paramjit S. ''Insurrection to Agitation: The Naxalite Movement in Punjab''. Popular Prakashan. 1992. {{ISBN|81 7154 527 0}}

• Dil, Lal Singh. ''Naglok'' (Poems). Chetna Prakashan 1998. {{ISBN|81-7883-341-7}} (Punjabi). see "About the Author" (ਲੇਖਕ ਬਾਰੇ) by publisher/editor pp. 221–22

• Ghai, Trilok Chand] "Lal Singh Dils' ''Dastaan'': An Autobiography of Absences". (A Review) http://ghai-tc.blogspot.in/2011/11/lal-singh-dils-dastaan.html . 2 November 2011

• Dutt, Nirupama (tr.). ''Poet of the Revolution: The Memoirs and Poems of Lal Singh Dil''. Penguin Viking. (2012). {{ISBN|9780670086559}}

• Chandan, Amarjit.1998: “A Complete Story of an Incomplete Journey” (ਅਧੂਰੇ ਸਫ਼ਰ ਦੀ ਪੂਰੀ ਦਾਸਤਾਨ), Introduction. Dil, Lal Singh. ''Dastaan: An autobiography (ਦਾਸਤਾਨ: ਸਵੈ-ਜੀਵਨੀ)''. Chetna Prakashan, Ludhiana (Punjabi).

• Dil, Lal Singh. ''Dastaan: An autobiography (ਦਾਸਤਾਨ: ਸਵੈ-ਜੀਵਨੀ)''. Chetna Prakashan, Ludhiana.1998. p. 115
•
• Dil, Lal Singh. “My Urdu Milieu” (ਮੇਰਾ ਉਰਦੂ ਮਾਹੌਲ). Tarsem s. Dr.(ed.) (ਤਰਸੇਮ ਐਸ. ਡਾ.) ''Lal Singh Dil: Biographical and Critical Essays (ਲਲ ਸਿਂਘ ਦਿਲ: ਸੰਕਲਪ ਤੇ ਸਮੀਖਿਆ)'' Lokgeet Prakashan,Chandigarh.2006. P30. {{ISBN|81-7142-025-7}} (Punjabi)

• Ghai, Trilok Chand. 2012. “Lal Singh Dil, five poems, translated from Punjabi”, ''Modern Poetry in Translation'', Third series – Number Eighteen, Transitions. pp. 50–51 {{ISBN|978-0-9572354-0-3}}

== External links ==
* [http://lalsinghdil.wordpress.com/ Lal Singh Dil's Weblog]
* [http://www.google.co.in/search?q=lal+singh+dil+poetry&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=0bwU Lal Singh Dil images]
* {{YouTube|3rvCC9AJnhw|A clip from the film ''Kitte mil ve mahi'', Containing a fascinating conversation with the poet}}. by [https://web.archive.org/web/20130125005740/http://ajaybhardwaj.in/ Ajay Bhardwaj]
* [http://ghai-tc.blogspot.in/2010/11/lal-singh-dil.html The Women of Kudeli, a poem by Dil in English translation]
* [http://apnaorg.com/articles/review_of_poet_of_the_revolution/index.shtml Life and poetry of a wandering heart: A Review of Nirupama Dutt's translation of Dil's autobiography]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120911055503/http://sikhspectrum.com/2012/08/sadhu-sunddar-singh-re-examining-his-case/ Rich Heritage of Punjabi Dalit Literature and its Exclusion from Histories: Dil in the context of Dalit Literature]

== Further reading ==
* Tarsem S (Ed.) (2006): ''Lal Singh Dil : Sankalp te Samikhiya'' (biographical and critical essays) ; Lokgeet Parkashan, {{ISBN|81-7142-025-7}} (Punjabi)
* Lal Singh Dil: ''Naglok'' (Poems) (with critical essays by Punjabi Scholars) Chetna Prakashan, Ludhiana 2007 (Punjabi) {{ISBN|81 7883 341 7}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dil, Lal Singh}}
[[Category:Punjabi-language poets]]
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:2007 deaths]]
[[Category:Naxalite–Maoist insurgency]]