Dalit Writing

1. Dalit Literature
Arun R
M.Phil. Scholar,
Institute of English,
Palayam.

2. “What’s in a name?”
• Ati-Shudra
• Panchamas
• Untouchables
• Scheduled Castes
• Exterior castes
• Outcastes
• Depressed classes
• 'Scheduled Castes' ex-untouchables
• Harijan

3. • The term, "Dalit" came into existence by 1930s
• It was first used by Mahatma Jotirao Phule
• In Marathi, the word Dalit means ground crushed, broken down and reduced to piece
• It became a popular currency with the advent of the militant Dalit Panthers
• The roots of the term ‘Dalit’ can be traced back to the Purusukta of Rig Veda
where we find the first reference of the caste system. The hymn describes;
Brahmnoasaya mukamasti
Bahu rajanayah kruta
Uru tadasay yadvaishya
Padabhayam Sudro ajayat
• Expanded its reference to include scheduled tribes, poor peasants, women and all those being
exploited politically, economically and in the name of religion
• Dalit is not a caste ; now a symbol of change and revolution

4. Definition
Arjun Dangle has defined Dalit literature as:
“Dalit literature is one which acquaints people with the caste system and untouchability in
India… It matures with a sociological point of view and is related to the principles of
negativity, rebellion and loyalty to science , thus finally ending as revolutionary .”
It portrays the sorrows, tribulations, slavery degradation, ridicule and poverty endured by
Dalits.

5. History of Dalit Literature
“The margins of nation displace the centre; the people of the periphery return to rewrite
history and fiction of the metropolis”.
(Homi Bhabha. Location of Culture, London: Routledge, 1994.)

6. Retracing the Reconstructed Indian History

7. The Aryan Conquest HINDUISM
Colonialsation
DRAVIDIANS
The British Conquest CASTISM

8. HINDUISM
The Religious
Texts:
• Manusmriti
• Rig veda
• Pursha Sukta
The Epics:
• The
Mahabharatha
• The Ramayana
CASTISM
• End to evil Customs
• Introduction of Christianity
• Social stratification
• Introduction of Education
• The Government of India Act, 1935

9. Theory of Caste
• Purity
• Pollution

10. • We have to re-read the history of India, in the eye of Subaltern
perspective for getting a better knowledge
• Historiography
• We can study Dalit literature as a product of time
• The British rule in India helped Dalits to uplift their existence as a
human being
• Recognition as a human being gave voice to express their
“reactive”, instead of “creative” thoughts

11. Role of Other Religions
• Buddhism
• Jainism
• Islam
• Christianity

12. Movements
• Bhakti Movements
• Non Brahmin Movement
• New Dalit Movements

13. Bhakti Movements
Challenged the varna system and stratification of human society on the basis of caste
• Namdev (AD 1270-1350) belonged to the Shimphi (tailor) caste from Maharashtra;
• Chokamela (14 century) was a Mahar (untouchable) also from Maharahtra
• Kabir (AD 1398-1518) was a a weaver from Utar Pradesh
• Raidas( contemporary of Kabir) was a cobbler also from Uttar Pradesh
• Sena (another contemporary of Raidas), a barber also from UtarPradesh
• Tukaramm (born in AD 1608) was a Kunbi (peasant) from Maharashtra.
The languages used by these saints were the local languages spoken by the common
people

14. Interesting, right?
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