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Neelam (organisation)

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Neelam
Formation2015
FounderPa. Ranjith
HeadquartersChennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Publication
Neelam
SubsidiariesNeelam Foundation
Neelam Productions
Neelam Cultural Center
Neelam Social
Websitehttps://theneelam.com/

Neelam (Tamil: நீலம்) is an Indian socio-cultural organisation founded by filmmaker Pa. Ranjith, based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The organisation works towards anti-caste social justice, Dalit-Bahujan cultural expression and community activism across cinema, journalism, literature, performance art and public debate. It functions through different branches such as Neelam Productions, Neelam Panpaatu Maiyam (Neelam Cultural Centre), Neelam Foundation, Neelam Social and a literary magazine titled Neelam. The organisation draws inspiration from the Ambedkarism philosophy of B. R. Ambedkar and aims to generate a Dalit-perspective platform for art, politics and culture.[1][2][3]

History

Neelam's origins trace back to Pa. Ranjith's earlier social initiatives. Around 2015, Ranjith and his associates formed the Neelam Foundation, an NGO focused on the educational upliftment of marginalized children in Chennai slums.[1] The foundation runs "Neelam Educational Centers," which provide children with extra-curricular training in art, culture, and sports.[1] This foundational work in community activism subsequently expanded into the broader, more public-facing socio-cultural organisation comprising Neelam Productions, Neelam Panpaatu Maiyam, and Neelam Social aimed at anti-caste politics in media and the arts.[4][5]

Organisation and structure

Neelam functions as an umbrella organisation with multiple divisions focused on different forms of outreach:

  • Neelam Foundation: A dedicated NGO to social work and the upliftment of marginalized communities, with a particular focus on empowering children and women.[6]
  • Neelam Productions: A film and media production arm that backs cinema and documentaries with anti-caste and socially conscious themes.[7]
  • Neelam Panpaatu Maiyam (Neelam Cultural Centre): A cultural centre dedicated to performance, art festivals, public debates, and community engagement.[8]
  • Neelam Social: A media and journalism wing producing documentaries, interviews and digital content on oppressed communities, caste politics and social issues.[9]
  • Neelam (magazine): A Tamil-language literary and socio-political journal aiming to create space for new voices, art forms and critique from a Dalit-perspective.[10]

Neelam Foundation

The Neelam Foundation is dedicated to social work and the upliftment of marginalized communities, with a particular focus on empowering children and women. It is an NGO initiative under the broader organization founded by filmmaker Pa. Ranjith.[11] The Foundation's primary work revolves around running Neelam Educational Centers across Tamil Nadu, which offer training programs and creative opportunities for children from marginalized groups, aiming to nurture their talents in areas like folk art, photography, mime, rap, filmmaking, and theatre.[6] Beyond the centers, it organizes residential arts camps for these children to enhance their skills and build community. Furthermore, the Foundation extends its social justice mission by launching programs to provide workshops and professional opportunities for aspiring filmmakers who are women and queer from marginalized backgrounds, thereby addressing issues of representation and social equity within the media industry.[12]

Neelam Productions

Neelam Productions is the film-production banner under Neelam. It has supported feature films and documentaries directed or produced by Pa. Ranjith and his associates like it co-produced a comedy-drama project with associate director Dhinakaran Sivalingam.[13] The production wing contributes to the organisation’s mission by leveraging mainstream cinema and media to address caste, identity and representation issues.[13]

In August 2025, Neelam Productions publicly alerted the public about fake audition calls circulating in its name, reaffirming that only its official handles should be trusted.[14]

Theatrical film productions by Neelam Productions:

Year Film Notes
2018 Pariyerum Perumal
2019 Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu [15]
2021 Kuthiraivaal
Sarpatta Parambarai
Writer
2022 Seththumaan
Natchathiram Nagargiradhu
2023 Bommai Nayagi
2024 Blue Star [16]
J Baby [17]
Thangalaan
2025 Bottle Radha [18]
Papa Buka Papua New Guinea-India co-production[19]
Thandakaaranyam [20]
Bison Kaalamaadan [21]

Neelam Panpaatu Maiyam (Neelam Cultural Centre)

Neelam Panpaatu Maiyam actively organises art festivals, public gatherings, and cultural programmes aimed at reclaiming Dalit history, culture, and voice through artistic expression. Its flagship event, the Vaanam Art Festival,[22] is held annually during Dalit History Month, celebrating marginalized identities and fostering community dialogue.[23] The cultural centre also launched initiatives such as the Women & Trans Persons Cinema Forum and media campaigns like #VoteOutHate to promote social justice and inclusivity. Notably, it took legal action in 2021 when a song was falsely associated with its festival, underscoring its commitment to authenticity and respect for marginalized voices.[24][25]

In collaboration with filmmaker Pa. Ranjith, Neelam Panpaatu Maiyam helped launch The Casteless Collective, an indie band blending Gaana, hip-hop, rock, rap, and folk music to raise socio-political awareness. The band, formed in 2017, emerged from auditions aimed at uniting musicians driven by both artistic skill and social motivation, It consists of popular artists such as Arivu, Tenma and Isaivani.[24][26]

Neelam Social

Neelam Social is a digital media platform associated with Neelam. It produces documentaries and digital content exploring issues of caste, gender, sexuality, colorism and labour and releases most of their documentaries on their YouTube channel.[9][27] In March 2024, Neelam Social produced and released Kalli Paal-la Oru Tea (Coffee with Cactus Milk), an anthology film, directly on its YouTube channel. The project featured four short films by women directors focusing on the issues women face in a patriarchal society.[28][29]

In August 2022, it co-hosted a global virtual concert “Radical Rhythms” with Dalit artists from around the world to highlight caste-based oppression in global workplaces.[30][31]

Neelam (magazine) and Bookstore

The Neelam magazine (sometimes referred to as Neelam Itazhl or simply “Neelam magazine”) presents Tamil-language essays, poems, short stories, writing on painting, music, performance, criticism and culture from a Dalit-perspective. The editorial vision emphasises not only discussing Dalit issues but using the Dalit lens to understand all social, cultural and political phenomena.[32][33]

Neelam Bookstore and Cultural Space

Neelam Bookstore and Cultural Space, located in Egmore, Chennai, is an Ambedkarite anti-caste literary and cultural venue. It offers works by Ambedkar, Dalit writers like Bama, graphic novels such as Bhimayana, and Tamil translations of prominent authors, often absent from mainstream bookstores.[32]

The space is designed to be flexible, hosting events like concerts, discussions, and exhibitions with movable furniture. It supports emerging Dalit and Bahujan writers through mentorship and affordable, quality publications.[33]

Filmmaker Pa. Ranjith and academic V. Geetha recognize Neelam’s role in promoting anti-caste literature and inclusive cultural discourse. Architect Iraianbu Murugavel designed the space to challenge elitist norms and foster accessibility.[32]

References

  1. ^ a b c Jane, Sinduja (2015-01-12). "Taking Slum Kids the 'Extra' Mile". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  2. ^ "The Dalit filmmaker challenging India's caste discrimination". The Washington Post. 2022-06-10. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  3. ^ Krishnan, Revathi (2022-03-09). "Films, YouTube, Ambedkar — Pa Ranjith is building a new world and it won't be sidelined". ThePrint. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  4. ^ IANS (2024-09-08). "Pa. Ranjith: For me, everything is political". www.dtnext.in. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  5. ^ Staff, T. N. M. (2019-12-07). "Neelam Foundation to hold arts camp for marginalised kids in TN: How you can help". The News Minute. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  6. ^ a b Staff, T. N. M. (2019-12-07). "Neelam Foundation to hold arts camp for marginalised kids in TN: How you can help". The News Minute. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  7. ^ Rajpal, Roktim (2022-12-08). "Happy Birthday Pa Ranjith: 4 reasons why his brand of counterculture stands above the rest". India Today. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  8. ^ TK, Smitha (2018-12-31). "Pa Ranjith's 'Vaanam' Aims to Convey Sensitive Issues Through Art". TheQuint. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  9. ^ a b Bureau, The Hindu (2025-08-16). "Neelam Social releases documentary on conservancy workers' protests". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-10-18. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  10. ^ Raghu, Archita (2023-04-27). "Reimagining book stores: Neelam carves out space for anti-caste literature". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  11. ^ Jane, Sinduja (2015-01-12). "Taking Slum Kids the 'Extra' Mile". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  12. ^ Raghu, Archita (2022-12-28). "Daring to dream: Neelam Trust's five-day free winter annual camp hopes to delight, teach and educate children". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  13. ^ a b Rajpal, Roktim (2022-12-08). "Happy Birthday Pa Ranjith: 4 reasons why his brand of counterculture stands above the rest". India Today. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  14. ^ Wadhwa, Aman. "Pa Ranjith's Neelam Productions alerts public of fake audition calls, issues statement: 'We would like to declare...'". DNA India. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  15. ^ "Pa Ranjith announces his second production, Attakathi Dinesh in the lead". 8 December 2018.
  16. ^ "Pa Ranjith's next production, starring Ashok Selvan and Shanthnu, titled 'Blue Star'". The Hindu. 20 May 2023.
  17. ^ "Director Pa Ranjith announces his third production venture". 21 April 2019.
  18. ^ "Pa Ranjith's next production, starring Guru Somasundaram, Sanchana Natarajan, John Vijay, Lollu Sabha Maaran, titled 'Bottle Radha'". cinema express. 19 Jan 2025.
  19. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (26 August 2025). "Papua New Guinea Makes First-Ever Oscar Submission With 'Papa Buka' (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  20. ^ "Kalaiyarasan and Dinesh's Thandakaaranyam gets September release". Cinema Express. 2025-08-18. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  21. ^ பிரிவு, இணையதளச் செய்திப் (2025-10-18). "பைசன், டியூட், டீசல் முதல்நாள் வசூல்... தீபாவளி வெற்றியாளர் யார்?". Dinamani (in Tamil). Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  22. ^ Athimuthu, Soundarya (2022-04-20). "Pa Ranjith on Organising 'Vaanam Art Festival' During Dalit History Month". TheQuint. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  23. ^ Subramanian, Anupama (2018-12-21). "Cultural fest on social justice by Pa Ranjith | Cultural fest on social justice by Pa Ranjith". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  24. ^ a b TK, Smitha (2018-12-31). "Pa Ranjith's 'Vaanam' Aims to Convey Sensitive Issues Through Art". TheQuint. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  25. ^ "Art and music is equal to political power: Pa Ranjith". The Times of India. 2018-01-13. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  26. ^ Govindarajan, Vinita (2018-01-11). "The Casteless Collective: A music band's debut has caught the attention of Chennai and the internet". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  27. ^ Ramnath, Nandini (2023-11-06). "Documentary 'Chaityabhumi' reveals Ambedkar memorial's centrality in the Dalit imagination". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  28. ^ Features, C. E. (2024-03-19). "Neelam Social's Kalli Paal La Oru Tea gets release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  29. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (2024-03-19). "'Kalli Paal-la Oru Tea': Neelam Social's anthology to release on YouTube on March 20". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-10-18. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  30. ^ Service, Express News (2022-08-10). "Neelam Social to host global concert against caste-based oppression". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  31. ^ U, Saradha (2022-08-10). "Equality Labs and Neelam join hands for concert against casteism in big tech". The News Minute. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  32. ^ a b c Raghu, Archita (2023-04-27). "Reimagining book stores: Neelam carves out space for anti-caste literature". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  33. ^ a b Raghu, Archita (2023-04-27). "Neelam Bookstore & Cultural Space: Democratic designs to assemble accessibility". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
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