From Personal Experience to Collective Liberation: Leonardo Vergaro’s Ethnography on Banaras’ Dalits
A person’s life is not merely a collection of personal experiences but also a profound reflection of the ideas, values, and social conditions of their time. History shows that the personal struggles, pain, and challenges individuals face often serve as the catalyst for collective change. In this interaction between the personal and the collective, human actions act as a bridge.
Italian anthropologist Leonardo Vergaro’s recent dissertation explores the mapping between personal life experiences and social transformation. At one end of this narrative is my life, while at the other is the collective existence of Dalits in Banaras. Leonardo recently earned his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Milan for this research.
Born in Voghera, Italy, Leonardo’s thesis is titled “Construction and Transformations of the Self in Varanasi: Ethnography of a Humanitarian Experience.” From October to December 2023, Leonardo conducted intensive fieldwork in Banaras.
Personal Context, Collective Destiny
Leonardo’s ethnographic study is rooted in the daily experiences of Dalit communities in Banaras. Through testimonies and dialogues on police brutality, oppression, and social exclusion, he crafts a narrative in which these testimonies themselves become a transformative process. This process not only empowers those sharing their life stories but also transforms their pain into catalysts for personal and collective change.
Coincidentally, Leonardo’s study aligns closely with the work of the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR). Over the years, PVCHR has engaged in similar efforts through its folk schools, testimonial therapy, and storytelling initiatives. Naturally, a deep connection emerged between Leonardo’s research and PVCHR’s experiences.
Another coincidence is that I became a central character in Leonardo’s story. His research has become an authentic document that examines the relationship between my personal and public life. Through my life narrative, Leonardo introduces the concept of “Resistant Vitality”—the resilience that transforms personal suffering into public action.
Leonardo used my personal experiences as a lens to explore how individuals can overcome adversities and become agents of change. Some aspects of his research deserve further discussion.
Journey from Personal Experiences to Values
Leonardo’s dissertation explores both the known and lesser-known facets of my life, weaving together the story that defines my existence.
For instance, my grandfather, Shanti Kumar Singh, was a true Gandhian who left his British government job in 1941 to join India’s freedom struggle. His life symbolized truth, nonviolence, and social service. On the other hand, my father, Surendra Nath Singh, was inspired by communism, adopting the ideologies of Stalin and Mao in his pursuit of revolutionary societal change.
As a child, I learned love, compassion, and nonviolence from my grandfather, while my father instilled in me discipline, resilience, and the courage to face structural challenges in society. Leonardo’s ethnography details how the dialectics between these ideologies became integral to my life.
Other key figures in this transformative journey include my mother, grandmother, and uncle. My grandmother, Yashoda Devi, taught me that “the local is universal,” which became the foundation of my worldview. My mother’s decision to exclude my wife and me from her will in 2002 created familial discord, which was eventually resolved when she amended the will to include my son. This experience taught me the importance of maintaining dignity and patience in fulfilling responsibilities toward family and society.
Lessons from War and Struggle
My first major struggle came in 1985 when, despite excelling in high school, I was forced to leave my father’s home. This was not just an economic hardship but also a reflection of ideological differences. It marked a turning point that propelled me toward self-reliance.
During my studies in Ayurveda, I traveled between Varanasi and Bhadohi on a bicycle—a challenging journey. During my internship at a government hospital, I persevered through financial hardships to complete my education. This period taught me to uphold my ideals and goals despite adversities.
War, though never a solution, leaves an indelible mark on those it touches. It brings immense suffering to the families of soldiers who sacrifice their lives for freedoms we often take for granted. Recently, Shruti and I paid tribute to my uncle, Ram Autar Singh, who sacrificed his life during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
Ideology of Change
Adhering to ideology is just one aspect. Real transformation lies in discerning right from wrong and integrating this understanding into one’s vision. My journey of struggle and learning is not merely a personal narrative but a commitment to societal transformation.
Leonardo’s ethnography stands as evidence of how the intersection of personal struggle and social commitment can inspire global change. By intricately weaving personal stories with the lives of Dalits, he creates a narrative that fosters compassion and unity through shared experiences.
Leonardo’s work on Banaras’ Dalits is a shining example of how anthropology, rooted in personal compassion and collective action, can illuminate the path toward a more just and empathetic world. His fieldwork in Banaras showcases the relationship between the personal and the public, offering inspiration to the world.
The above article was originally published in Hindi on Junputh