A female Dom: The Woman Who Keeps the Flames of Purandarpur Crematorium Burning

Agencies, November 19, 2024: Tumpa Das, 29, is challenging centuries-old norms in the community she was born into. As a "dom" by profession, she is part of a hereditary role responsible for overseeing cremation rituals at the Purandarpur Math Jora Mandir Crematorium, located in South 24-Parganas, just 25 kilometers from Calcutta.

Traditionally, crematorium duties have been handled by men in the Dom community, but Tumpa has defied this custom, taking charge of the crematorium in 2015 after the death of her father, Bapi Das, who had been the head of the cremation grounds. Since then, Tumpa has become a symbol of resilience, managing everything from registering the deceased’s name to overseeing the cremation process itself.

“I’ve turned down two marriage proposals. None of them would have let me continue with my job, and I won’t quit,” she tells emphasizing her commitment to the work she inherited and loves.

Tumpa’s family has been involved in this work for generations. Her maternal grandfather worked at the crematorium, followed by her mother, and then her father. Now, Tumpa, the eldest daughter, has carried the torch. “This job is physically demanding, emotionally taxing, and often underappreciated. But it’s my responsibility. It’s what I’ve been raised to do,” she says.

Tumpa’s workday begins early, starting with a prayer at the Kali temple on the crematorium grounds before the arrival of the first body at 6 a.m. Her shift extends until 8 p.m., with little time for rest. She describes her role: "When a body arrives, I register the details, then prepare and operate the furnace, and finally collect the ashes. There’s no downtime, no break."

The work is grueling, and in her early years, the sight of multiple corpses lined up for cremation was overwhelming. Over time, however, Tumpa gained confidence, handling the complex, often emotionally heavy process with efficiency and dedication. “In the beginning, I found it difficult to eat after a day’s work," she admits. "But I’ve learned to keep going. This is more than a job—it’s a service no one can do without."

Tumpa’s path hasn’t been easy. Initially, she faced social isolation. "Women in my neighborhood avoided me, wouldn't touch me because I worked in a crematorium," she recalls. Despite this, she continued to perform her duties, and in time, the community came to respect her. "So what if I touch a dead body? I bathe twice a day, just like anyone else," she adds, reflecting on the prejudice she faced for being a woman in a job traditionally dominated by men.

Her role at the crematorium is crucial not just for her family, but for the community. The Purandarpur crematorium serves a large area, from Kalyanpur Panchayat to neighboring regions, and even people from distant areas like Bishnupur come here. The crematorium has both wood and electric furnaces, with the electric furnace inaugurated in 2019 to streamline the process. What once took hours now only takes 45 minutes.

Tumpa’s work is a deeply ingrained family tradition, but it is also a source of pride. The Dom community is often relegated to the lowest rungs of the caste system and stigmatized for their work with death. However, for Tumpa, this work has become a badge of honor. “This job is not easy, but I am proud to do it. It’s a service that helps people in their most vulnerable moments,” she says.

Despite receiving multiple marriage proposals, Tumpa refuses to give up her work. Her mother, too, wishes for her to settle down, but the condition attached to the proposals—giving up her job—was never acceptable. "I treasure the respect I get from the families of the deceased. And the love for this job keeps me going," she says, acknowledging that the work provides her not just with a livelihood, but with a deep sense of purpose.

Her salary, a modest ₹3,500 per month, is insufficient to fully support her family, but Tumpa remains undeterred. "The money isn’t much, but the love and respect I get from the community keep me motivated," she says. She also mentions that people sometimes give her extra money for her hard work, and she feels deeply humbled by their gratitude.

Tumpa is also inspired by the example of Yamuna Devi, a 73-year-old woman who broke barriers before her. Yamuna Devi works as a funeral director at the revered Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, where she too has had to fight against societal ridicule for working in a male-dominated profession. Yamuna, who took over the work after her husband's death, has become a mentor to Tumpa, embodying the same spirit of defiance and strength.

Tumpa’s story is a testament to her resilience and determination to carry on a family tradition despite the many challenges. For her, the work is not just about earning a living but fulfilling a sacred duty—a duty that transcends gender, caste, and societal expectations.

As she continues her role at the Purandarpur crematorium, Tumpa remains unwavering in her commitment. Her job, once a simple family responsibility, has become a calling—one that she carries with pride, proving that the work of the Dom community, often hidden in the shadows, is a crucial part of the social fabric.

In a society that has long looked down on her caste and her role, Tumpa Das is not just breaking barriers; she is redefining them.