Dalit Literature

To be truly inclusive, anti-CAA movement must acknowledge protest traditions in languages beyond Urdu

The experience of resistance is a shared one — one that cuts across language and region. A plurality of defiant voices would only reinforce the solidarity that is at the centre of such resistance, by helping people both express and hear it in new ways that channel their anger and frustration, telling them that they are not alone in this. Learning about marginalised traditions and offering them representation also ties in to the broader inclusiveness, progressiveness, and opposition to homogenisation that the anti-CAA movement stands for.

Dalit writer Chennanna Walikar passes away at 78, laid to rest in his village Shankarwadi

Renowned Dalit writer Chennanna Walikar died in a private hospital in Kalaburgi on Sunday, 24 November at around 10 pm. He was 78. His body was, on Monday, was laid to rest in the Shahabad taluka of his village Shankarwadi.

Flowers on the Grave of Caste review: New short story collection depicts hope amid Dalit struggles

In Flowers on the Grave of Caste, author Yogesh Maitreya's characters are subjected to a constant threats in a Brahminical environment. But these characters' main trait is self-respect which permeates their very being, thus making it not a collective claim but an individual one — a notion Dr Ambedkar eloquently put forth in the Constituent Assembly debates

Dalit writing, global contexts: The River Speaks by Bojja Tharakam stands as a poetic beacon against injustice

Even more than their content or literary merit, Bojja Tharakam’s poems stand tall for the history of resistance against oppression they narrate.

Dalit writing, global contexts: In ND Rajkumar's poetry, echoes of folk rhythms, myths and local history

ND Rajkumar's poetic voice is distinct, for it carries the stories of his ancestors, who did not bow down to their oppressors – oppressors who wanted to erase their existence from history. His style, on the other hand, has the rhythm of a folk artist

Dalit writing, global contexts: S Joseph combines critique and compassion in My Sister’s Bible

In Communist Kerala, S Joseph emerged as the forerunner of the Malayalam Dalit literary tradition. He was able to challenge Brahminical poetic traditions while offering verses that soothed the wounds of the lower caste people

Dalit writing, global contexts: The tour de force that is Manoranjan Byapari's Interrogating My Chandal Life

Being a pioneer of Dalit literature in West Bengal, Manoranjan Byapari has ensured that the stories which were historically neglected and rejected by Brahminical literary pundits no longer need their mercy or even their attention.

Dalit writing, global contexts: Neerav Patel's Severed Tongue Speaks Out skewers casteism, with humour

Even as a bilingual writer (English and Gujarati) and despite being possessed of a poetic imagination far more creative than his contemporary Arun Kolatkar (upper caste, and bilingual), Neerav Patel wasn’t exempt from the prejudiced and casteist nature of Indian literary criticism. Savarna critics immortalised Kolatkar and invisiblised Patel.

Dalit writing, global contexts: Om Prakash Valmiki's Joothan is the shining pinnacle of Hindi Dalit literature

The English translation of Joothan — a magnum opus of Hindi Dalit literature — is an event in which we have witnessed both, the importance of translation as well as how translation of Dalit literature has many political dimensions that are yet to be unravelled.

Dalit writing, global contexts: Re-examining the legacy of Lal Singh Dil, Punjab's 'Poet of the Revolution'

Lal Singh Dil — affectionately known as Dil to his friends and admirers — was a poet, a lover, a wanderer, a truth-seeker, tea vendor and above all, among the most brilliant minds Punjab produced in the field of literature