Voicing the Voiceless Dalits with Special reference to Bama’s Karukku

Abstract

In India, Dalit Literature has become a prominent concept or genre in the field of literature in several Indian languages. Dalit literature is a distinct genre that offers a voice to those who have experienced humiliation, exploitation, marginalization, and revolt in India's underprivileged communities. The discourse of the dissenting Dalit writer Bama Faustina, whose work provides a comprehensive and integrated portrayal of Dalit's suffering, gives Dalit literature a gendered perspective. Faustina Mary Fatima Rani, better known by her pen name Bama, she was lauded as India's first Dalit woman writer with her autobiography ‘Karukku’. Her work depicts the situation of Dalit women, about their suffering and persecution at the hands of patriarchs. This paper focuses on the suppressed voice of Dalits and represents Bama as a voice of Voiceless Dalits. 'Karukku' examines many forms of brutal persecution of Dalits, as well as the atrocities perpetrated upon oppressed women in the paraiyar caste. In light of the growing relevance and awareness of Dalit Literature, this research aims to depict the sufferings of women both inside and outside the community. This paper also tries to demonstrate how a Dalit woman expresses herself by accepting and embracing Dalit society's paradoxes.