The Dalit among the Dalits; the Issues of Dalit Women in Bama’s Sangati and Urmila Pawar’s Motherwit

Abstract

The present research article aims to deal with the intricate interplay between gender and caste as articulated in two seminal literary works— Bama’s Sangati and Urmila Pawar’s Motherwit. It unpacks the manifold layers of marginalization and social exclusion faced by Dalit women in the Indian society, who often find themselves in the interstices, bearing the brunt of both caste and gender-based discrimination. Sangati’s narrative is centered on the collective experiences of Dalit women, weaving in the motifs of resistance and solidarity, whereas Motherwit employs autobiographical accounts to expose the primeval and structural violence inflicted upon the marginalized. Through a critical analysis of the characters, plotlines, and linguistic elements, the study elucidates how both texts subvert the dominant discourse and bring forth the voices that have long been silenced. It scrutinizes the narrative strategies employed by Bama and Urmila Pawar in portraying the complexities of Dalit women’s lives. The plights of Dalit women are not only appendages to their Dalit identity, but constitute a distinct space where caste and gender oppressions conflate. Furthermore, it discusses the empowering aspects of storytelling as a means of social critique and consciousness-raising. Through an intersectional lens, this paper underscores the need for acknowledging and addressing the unique challenges faced by Dalit women in their pursuit of social justice and emancipation.