Memory, Resistance, and Adivasi Land Rights: A Digital Narrative Analysis of Pada

Abstract

Forgetting fuels fascism, remembering ignites resistance." This study examines how the 2022 Malayalam film Pada utilizes digital storytelling to shape collective memory surrounding the significant socio-political event of the 1996 Ayyankali Pada protest, which was a landmark agitation for Adivasi land rights in Kerala. The film portrays a group of four men barging into a collector's office and holding him hostage to revolt against a controversial bill that exploits the rights of tribals. Building on memory studies frameworks (Olick, Landsberg), this research investigates Pada's representation of marginalized communities' memories and experiences through critical discourse analysis. Contextualizing the film narrative through historical documents and sociopolitical context, this study addresses the gap in films depicting accurate histories of marginalised communities.

The findings highlight how the film fosters empathy across social groups, reshapes cultural memory, and challenges dominant historical narratives. This research demonstrates digital storytelling's potential to reconfigure historical narratives and public memory. Moreover, it contributes to media studies, cultural studies, and social justice research, broadening its interdisciplinary relevance. Integrating Alison Landsberg's Prosthetic Memory theory, the study illustrates the power of digital storytelling in shaping cultural memory. Ultimately, this study underscores Pada's role in amplifying Adivasi voices and resisting oppression, contributing to ongoing discussions on memory, resistance, and social justice.