Had it not been for the pandemic, Rimjhim Kumari would have been at St Catherine-s College in Oxford, UK, studying elective subjects—behavioural science and women in the modern world—as part of a scholarship programme. But the 20-year-old Economics graduate from St Xavier-s College, Mumbai, has little remorse. Back in her hometown Patwatoli, a tiny village in Manpur in Bihar-s Gaya district, Kumari is keeping herself busy with a unique project.

Rimjhim Kumari

Since September 7, Kumari has been researching and engaging with Dalit artists across the country for her Anti-Caste Art initiative, which she undertook after being awarded the One Future Fellowship. The project explores and showcases the phenomenal body of work being churned out by Dalit artists, many of whom, she feels, continue to remain underappreciated despite being humdingers in their field. Kumari, who has collaborated with Dalit Camera, a YouTube Channel that documents perspectives on/voices of Dalits, Adivasis, Bahujans and Minorities DABM, has reached out to nearly 18 artists until now.