Dalit literature
Encyclopedia
Dalit Literature, literature about the Dalit
s, the oppressed class under Indian caste system forms an important and distinct part of Indian literature
. Though Dalit narratives have been a part of the Indian social narratives since 11th century onwards, with works like Cekkilar's Periya Puranam portraying Dalit women like half-naked and sexually exploitable and praising the killing of thousands of Dalits on "Kazhumaram" in the hands of Gnanasambandan, Dalit literature emerged into prominence and as a collective voice after 1960, starting with Marathi
, and soon appeared in Hindi
, Kannada, Telugu
and Tamil language
s, through self-narratives, like poems, short stories and most importantly autobiographies known for their realism, and for its contribution to Dalit politics. It denounced as petty and false the then prevailing romanticism with the bourgeois Sadashiv pethi literature treated the whole Dalit issue, ignoring the social reality of appalling poverty and oppression of caste Hindus which was the result of the bourgeois character of this culture. It is often compared with the African-American literature especially in its depiction of issues of racial segregation
and injustice, as seen in Slave narratives
and who is also regarded by some scholars as the "father of Vachana poetry". Another poet who finds mention mention is Dohara Kakkaiah, a Dalit by birth, six of whose confessional poems survive.
In the 20th century, the term "Dalit literature" came into use in 1958, when the first conference of Maharashtra Dalit Sahitya Sangha (Maharashtra Dalit Literature Society) was held at Mumbai
, a movement driven by thinkers like Jyotiba Phule and Bhimrao Ambedkar.
Baburao Bagul
(1930–2008) was pioneer of Dalit
writings in Marathi
. His first collection of stories, Jevha Mi Jat Chorali (जेव्हा मी जात चोरली) (When I had Concealed My Caste), published in 1963, created a stir in Marathi literature
with its passionate depiction of a crude society and thus brought in new momentum to Dalit literature in Marathi
; today it is seen by many critics as the epic of the Dalits, and was later made into a film by actor-director Vinay Apte.. Gradually with other writers like, Namdeo Dhasal
(who founded Dalit Panther
), these Dalit writings paved way from strengthening of Dalit politics.
, Krushna Kamble, Raja Dhale
, Namdev Dhasal, Annabhau Sathe
, Bandhu Madhav, Laxman Mane
, Laxman Gaikwad, Hari Narake, Sharankumar Limbale, Waman Nibalkar, Bhimsen Dethe, Bhau Panchbhai, Ambadas Shinde, Murlidhar Bansode.
Rev.John Ratnam (Editer, Dravida Pandian), Rettamalai Srinivasan(Editer,Parayan), k.Appadurai (Editer Tamilan), Periasamy Pulavar (Poet)and many writers were contributed to dalit literature.
Anbu Ponnoviam, T.P.Kamalanathan, Arya Sangaaran, x-ray manikam,and some others were worked on Dalit hostory and Dalit political magzines. Sakya Mohan who edited "Dhamma" in English and Tamil authored the first book on Dalit History of Tamil Nadu titled "History of Dalit Struggle for Freedom (2001)". Sakya Mohan has introduced "KalaParayar Empire" (Buddhist Era) in the history of Tamil Nadu supported by a lot of primary sources negating the hegemonist historians view that KalaParayar period "the dark age" in Tamil Nadu.
Raj Gowthaman, Ravikumar, Gowthama Sannah, Kudiarasan, Vadivel Ravanan, M.P.Ezhilarasu, Yakkan, Stalin Rajangam, Aranga Mallika, Manivannan, Meena mayil, these are all the major contributors to the Non fictional Dalit Literature and first few are ideologue of Dalit ideology in contemporary Tamil Dalit field.
P.Sivakamy wrote first modern dalit fiction and Bhama,Artist Chandru,Abimaani, Azhagiya Peruyavan, Poomani,Poet.Sukirtharani,Poet.Pratibha Jayachandran,Chanakya, Dharman, vizhi.Pa.Idhaya vendhan,Yazhan Adhi and some others are worked on Dalit modern fiction literature and poetry.
Senchattai Panjacharam, A.Marx, S.V.Rajadurai, V.Gheetha, MSS.Pandian,are Non-Dalit writers for dalit ideology and dalit literature.
Dalit
Dalit is a designation for a group of people traditionally regarded as Untouchable. Dalits are a mixed population, consisting of numerous castes from all over South Asia; they speak a variety of languages and practice a multitude of religions...
s, the oppressed class under Indian caste system forms an important and distinct part of Indian literature
Indian literature
Indian literature refers to the literature produced on the Indian subcontinent until 1947 and in the Republic of India thereafter. The Republic of India has 22 officially recognized languages....
. Though Dalit narratives have been a part of the Indian social narratives since 11th century onwards, with works like Cekkilar's Periya Puranam portraying Dalit women like half-naked and sexually exploitable and praising the killing of thousands of Dalits on "Kazhumaram" in the hands of Gnanasambandan, Dalit literature emerged into prominence and as a collective voice after 1960, starting with Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
, and soon appeared in Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
, Kannada, Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
and Tamil language
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
s, through self-narratives, like poems, short stories and most importantly autobiographies known for their realism, and for its contribution to Dalit politics. It denounced as petty and false the then prevailing romanticism with the bourgeois Sadashiv pethi literature treated the whole Dalit issue, ignoring the social reality of appalling poverty and oppression of caste Hindus which was the result of the bourgeois character of this culture. It is often compared with the African-American literature especially in its depiction of issues of racial segregation
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
and injustice, as seen in Slave narratives
Ambedkari (Literature) Sahitya
In 1993, Ambedkari Sahitya Parishad, Wardha organized first "Akhil Bhartiya (National) Ambedkari Sahitya Sammelan" in Wardha, Maharashtra to reconceptualize and transform "Dalit Sahitya (literature) into "Ambedkari Sahitya" after the name of its modern age hero and inspiration Dr.B.R. Ambedkar. Ambedkari Sahitya Parishad then successfully organized Third Akhil Bhartiya Ambedkari Sahitya Sammelan in 1996 and became a strong advocacy force of this transformation. Since then ten similar sahitya sammelans were held in various places. Ambedkari Sahitya Parishad was formed in 1992 with the goal to connect people with common ideals and aspirations, to provide a platform to those who are inspired by Dr B R Ambedkar's thoughts and philosophy to express their anguish through their literature against the oppression and bigotry, and to make their presence felt in the world.History
One of the first Dalit writers was Madara Chennaiah, an 11th-century cobbler-saint who lived in the reign of Western ChalukyasWestern Chalukyas
The Western Chalukya Empire ruled most of the western Deccan, South India, between the 10th and 12th centuries. This dynasty is sometimes called the Kalyani Chalukya after its regal capital at Kalyani, today's Basavakalyan in Karnataka and alternatively the Later Chalukya from its theoretical...
and who is also regarded by some scholars as the "father of Vachana poetry". Another poet who finds mention mention is Dohara Kakkaiah, a Dalit by birth, six of whose confessional poems survive.
In the 20th century, the term "Dalit literature" came into use in 1958, when the first conference of Maharashtra Dalit Sahitya Sangha (Maharashtra Dalit Literature Society) was held at Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, a movement driven by thinkers like Jyotiba Phule and Bhimrao Ambedkar.
Baburao Bagul
Baburao Bagul
Baburao Bagul was a Marathi writer from Maharashtra, India; a pioneering of Dalit literature in Marathi and an important figure in the Indian short story during late 20th century, when it experienced a radical departure from the past, with the advent of Dalit writers such as him.He most known for...
(1930–2008) was pioneer of Dalit
Dalit
Dalit is a designation for a group of people traditionally regarded as Untouchable. Dalits are a mixed population, consisting of numerous castes from all over South Asia; they speak a variety of languages and practice a multitude of religions...
writings in Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
. His first collection of stories, Jevha Mi Jat Chorali (जेव्हा मी जात चोरली) (When I had Concealed My Caste), published in 1963, created a stir in Marathi literature
Marathi literature
Marathi literature is the body of literature of Marathi, a Sanskrit-derived language spoken mainly in the Indian state of Maharashtra and written in the Devanagari script.-Early Marathi Literature :...
with its passionate depiction of a crude society and thus brought in new momentum to Dalit literature in Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
; today it is seen by many critics as the epic of the Dalits, and was later made into a film by actor-director Vinay Apte.. Gradually with other writers like, Namdeo Dhasal
Namdeo Dhasal
Namdeo Laxman Dhasal is a Marathi writer and Dalit activist from Maharashtra, India.-Biography:Dhasal was born on February 15, 1949, in a village near Pune, India. A member of the Mahar Dalit class, he grew up in dire poverty...
(who founded Dalit Panther
Dalit Panther
Dalit Panther is a social organization, founded by Namdev Dhasal in April 1972 in Mumbai. Later on many dalit activists joined this organization...
), these Dalit writings paved way from strengthening of Dalit politics.
Maharashtra
Arun Kamble, Shantabai KambleShantabai Kamble
Shantabai Krushnaji Kamble is a Marathi writer and Dalit activist. She wrote first Dalit woman autobiography. She was from the community which economically and socially deprived class. But her family always built her moral, and gradually due to good educational assistance, she goes beyond the...
, Krushna Kamble, Raja Dhale
Raja Dhale
Raja Dhale is an Indian Mahar dalit writer and activist, who was one the original members of the Dalit Panther, started in April 1972, alongside Namdeo Dhasal and Arun Krushnaji Kamble...
, Namdev Dhasal, Annabhau Sathe
Annabhau Sathe
Annabhau Sathe Annabhau Sathe Annabhau Sathe (Devanagari: (अण्णाभाऊ साठे) (1 August 1920 – 18 July 1969) was a social reformer and writer from Maharashtra, India.- Early life :Sathe was born in the village of Wategaon near Sangli in a family belonging to the Dalit Mang community...
, Bandhu Madhav, Laxman Mane
Laxman Mane
Laxman Bapu Mane is a Marathi writer and a social activitist from Maharashtra, India. Mane came to sudden fame after publishing his autobiography Upara, , in 1980...
, Laxman Gaikwad, Hari Narake, Sharankumar Limbale, Waman Nibalkar, Bhimsen Dethe, Bhau Panchbhai, Ambadas Shinde, Murlidhar Bansode.
Tamil Nadu (Tamil)
Ka.Ayothi dass Pandithar is the pioneer of the Dalit literature and Philosopher in India as well as south India.Rev.John Ratnam (Editer, Dravida Pandian), Rettamalai Srinivasan(Editer,Parayan), k.Appadurai (Editer Tamilan), Periasamy Pulavar (Poet)and many writers were contributed to dalit literature.
Anbu Ponnoviam, T.P.Kamalanathan, Arya Sangaaran, x-ray manikam,and some others were worked on Dalit hostory and Dalit political magzines. Sakya Mohan who edited "Dhamma" in English and Tamil authored the first book on Dalit History of Tamil Nadu titled "History of Dalit Struggle for Freedom (2001)". Sakya Mohan has introduced "KalaParayar Empire" (Buddhist Era) in the history of Tamil Nadu supported by a lot of primary sources negating the hegemonist historians view that KalaParayar period "the dark age" in Tamil Nadu.
Raj Gowthaman, Ravikumar, Gowthama Sannah, Kudiarasan, Vadivel Ravanan, M.P.Ezhilarasu, Yakkan, Stalin Rajangam, Aranga Mallika, Manivannan, Meena mayil, these are all the major contributors to the Non fictional Dalit Literature and first few are ideologue of Dalit ideology in contemporary Tamil Dalit field.
P.Sivakamy wrote first modern dalit fiction and Bhama,Artist Chandru,Abimaani, Azhagiya Peruyavan, Poomani,Poet.Sukirtharani,Poet.Pratibha Jayachandran,Chanakya, Dharman, vizhi.Pa.Idhaya vendhan,Yazhan Adhi and some others are worked on Dalit modern fiction literature and poetry.
Senchattai Panjacharam, A.Marx, S.V.Rajadurai, V.Gheetha, MSS.Pandian,are Non-Dalit writers for dalit ideology and dalit literature.
Andhra Pradesh (Telugu)
Gurram Jashuva, Kusuma Dharmanna, Boyi Bheemanna, Kolakaluri Enoch, Siva Sagar (KG. Sathyamurthy), Gaddar, Boya Jangaiah, Chilukuri Devaputra, Kathi Padmarao, Bojja Tharakam, Endluri Sudhakar, Vemula Yellaiah, G. Kalyana Rao, Satish Chandar, GR. Kurme, Madduri Nageshbabu, Kalekuri Prasad, Gogu Shyamala, Jupaka Subhadra, Jajula Gowri, MM. Vinodini, Sujatha Gidla, Thullimalli wilson SudhakarGujarat (Gujarati)
Neerav Patel, Dalpat Chauhan, Raju Solanki, Sahil Parmar, Mohan Parmar, Harish Mangalam, BHI.na.Vankar, Jayant Parmar, Pathik Parmar, Shankar Painter, Chandraben Shrimali, Raghavji Madhad, Madhukant Kalpit, B M parmar,Further reading
- An Anthology Of Dalit Literature: Poems, by Mulk Raj AnandMulk Raj AnandMulk Raj Anand was an Indian writer in English, notable for his depiction of the lives of the poorer castes in traditional Indian society. One of the pioneers of Indo-Anglian fiction, he, together with R.K...
. 1992, Gyan Books. ISBN 81-212-0419-4. - Dalit literature and African-American literature. Ed. N.M. Aston. Prestige Books , New Delhi. 2001. ISBN 81-7551-116-8.
- Towards an Aesthetic of Dalit Literature, by Sharankumar Limbale. 2004, Orient Longman. ISBN 81-250-2656-8.
- Journeys to Freedom: Dalit Narratives, by Fernando Franco, Jyotsna Macwan, Suguna Ramanathan. Popular Prakashan, 2004. ISBN 81-85604-65-7, 9788185604657.
- Dalit Literature : A Critical Exploration, by Amar Nath Prasad & M.B. Gaijan. 2007. ISBN 81-7625-817-2.
- A History of Telugu Dalit Literature, by Thummapudi Bharathi. Kalpaz Publications. 2008. ISBN 8178356880.
- Dalit Literature books Open LibraryOpen LibraryOpen Library is an online project intended to create “one web page for every book ever published”. Open Library is a project of the non-profit Internet Archive and has been funded in part by a grant from the California State Library and the Kahle/Austin Foundation.-Books for the blind and...
External links
- A Critical study of Dalit Literature in India. Dr. Jugal Kishore Mishra Swedish South Asian Studies Network, Lund UniversityLund UniversityLund University , located in the city of Lund in the province of Scania, Sweden, is one of northern Europe's most prestigious universities and one of Scandinavia's largest institutions for education and research, frequently ranked among the world's top 100 universities...
- scstudents.org