November 17, 2008, Kathmandu, Nepal: The Nepali television series “Dalan,” which tells the story of a Dalit family, has inspired the formation of more than 300 film clubs to fight caste discrimination both inside Nepal and abroad.

The 25-part series, produced in collaboration with Advocacy Project partner the Jagaran Media Center (JMC), is a fictional history that follows the story of a Dalit family over three generations. Beginning with the banishment of a high-caste Brahmin man and lower-caste Dalit woman from their village for having an illicit love affair, Dalan depicts the sufferings that they, their children, and their grandchildren face as a result of caste-based discrimination and social exclusion.

So far, the popular series has brought people together through film clubs in districts from Mechi to Mahakali in Nepal, along with India, Dubai and United States. These clubs work on eradicating social and cultural discrimination, and hope to continue this work even after the completion of the series. The popularity of Dalan could also lead to new programming trends in the Nepalese film industry.

JMC, an organization established by journalists from the Dalit community, is dedicated to raising awareness about Dalit issues at the local, national and international level by utilizing media to tell the stories of Dalit struggles and triumphs. This television series is the first of its kind to be aired on Nepali national television.

The series debuted on Nepali television on June 15 and the 22nd episode recently aired. The program airs Sundays at 8:40 p.m. in Nepal.

The popularity of Dalan has also allowed the JMC to raise additional money, which they have put into a fund to promote the development of future films on human rights issues.