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LangLit
An International Peer-Reviewed Open Access Journal
Vol. 8 Issue 3 166 February , 2022
Website: www.langlit.org Contact No.: +91-9890290602
Indexed: ICI, Google Scholar, Research Gate, Academia.edu, IBI, IIFC, DRJI
ISSN 2349-5189
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A CRITICAL STUDY OF THE DALIT LITERATURE IN INDIA
WITH A CONTEMPORARY APPROACH
MAHAMMAD AZAM
Research Scholar,
Dept. of English,
Kakatiya University,
Warangal,
Telangana State
ABSTRACT:
Dalit Literature, as a significant literary trend in India, is defined by the
self-affirmation of Dalits, subalterns, and lower strata of India's caste- class-religion-language-capital-ridden society through poetry, plays, short
stories, self-narratives, oral performances, and other forms of expression
that criticise inhuman treatment, atrocities, inequality, and so-called
mainstream literary and critical conventions through poetry, plays, short
stories, self- Dalit literature originated as a result of India's caste system's
exploitative character, which shaped its growth. Several historical
individuals are cited in the philosophy, including Buddha, Charvak, Kabir,
Jyotirao Phule, Karl Marx, and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Therefore, it is vital
to conceptually and critically stabilise Dalit literature while using western
critical methodologies to analyse the substance of Dalit writing on a
modern literary and critical canvas. The term 'Dalit,' the elements of Dalit
literature, Dalit literature in English, the term 'Dalit identity,' and how it is
reflected in Dalit literature, theorising Dalit literature and literary-critical
standards, situating Dalit literature within recent literary trends in India,
comparing and contrasting Dalit literature with the Anglo-American and
third world literary traditions, and the issues raised by Dalit literature and
their relevance in contemporary India will all be discussed in this paper.
Keywords: Dalit, Literature, Dalit Consciousness, Identity, Caste System
Lead In:
The word 'literature' comes from the Latin word Littera, which literally means "letters of the
alphabet" and refers to everything that is written or printed. When the term 'literature' is used
in this context, it is utilised in a very restricted sense or has a very superficial meaning
(Jaaware et al., 2005). Literature is an open-ended linguistic, socio-cultural, and sociological
phenomenon. The meanings are obtained in a number of ways. There are a number of
approaches that may be utilised to extract meaning from any literary text. In general, there are
four types of approaches: author-centred, text-centred, context-centred, and reader-centred.
Because literature has aesthetic, linguistic, social, cultural, and ideological elements, using
critical evaluation procedures and methodologies to Dalit writing for the sake of meaning
formation becomes essential and appropriate. Literary appreciation and criticism have shifted
their focus away from writers and toward texts, their substance, context, and reader-oriented
interpretation throughout history. Literary discourses are studied using biographical,
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LangLit
An International Peer-Reviewed Open Access Journal
Vol. 8 Issue 3 167 February , 2022
Website: www.langlit.org Contact No.: +91-9890290602
Indexed: ICI, Google Scholar, Research Gate, Academia.edu, IBI, IIFC, DRJI
ISSN 2349-5189
IMPACT FACTOR – 5.61
sociological, psychological, structural, archetypal, and anthropological techniques. Aesthetic
techniques such as realism and symbolism are frequently utilised to interpret literary
discourses. The New Critical Approach and formalism, respectively, propose concepts of 'art
for art's sake' and 'art for life/sake' cultures. The seeds of meaning formation are the
interrelationships between contemporary and cyber critique. When it comes to Orientalism,
Edward Said advocates for an interdisciplinary approach, whereas Roland Barthes and
Jacques Derrida, as well as Paul de Man and J. Hillis Miller and others, emphasise the
diversity of meaning. Norman Holland, Jauss, Stanley Fish, and Riffaterre, among others,
invented the reader-centred technique. The aesthetic, literary, social, and cultural elements of
Dalit literature, as well as its political and societal ramifications, must all be considered. As a
result, a wide range of literary and critical approaches are encouraged. Because no relic exists
that is fully isolated from civilisation; it is vital to interpret each item in its social and cultural
context.
An Overview of Dalit Literature in India:
For nomenclature, the phrases "Indian literature" and "Indian English literature" are
inadequate. Dalit literature translated into English from Indian languages broadens the
demographic and linguistic group arena and allows for global interpretation. It becomes part
of English literature as soon as it is translated into English, needing or asking the Euro- American critical tradition to comprehend, defend, and assess its strengths and flaws. The
phrase "Indian literature" refers to works published by Indians in the English language,
regardless of their linguistic, literary, or societal roots. As a result of colonial and aristocratic
mentality, this idea excludes literary works or cultural products written in Indian languages.
Regardless of the term Indian English Literature's quirks, it was characterised by the
'Indianness' shown in literary works. Dalit literature and "dalitness" in Dalit literature are
given the word "distinctiveness" or "uniqueness."
Dalit literature refers to literary works written by Dalit writers who grew up in Dalit
communities. Literary works are written with the goal of provoking change. In India's caste- ridden culture, it is a tool for societal revolution. The theme of 'Art for the Sake of Life' is
central to Dalit writing. Janardan Waghmare, a prominent scholar, stresses the following
essential characteristics of Dalit writing that contribute to its uniqueness:
It is committed, collective, and contemporaneous. It is the literature of our
country's ex-untouchables, who, like American Blacks, were socially alienated,
culturally alienated, economically exploited, physically annihilated, and
psychologically mutilated for centuries and were kept in their "place," which
was, of course, at the bottom of Hindu society. (64:2001)
Dalit writers have had a Dalit awareness or sensibility since they were born and reared in Dalit
communities. Several literary genres, such as books and plays, represent Dalit protagonists, yet
they lack Dalit consciousness. Because it is founded on Gandhian philosophy rather than
Buddhism or Ambedkarism, Mulk Raj Anand's narrative does not depict Dalit consciousness.
Raj Rao claims that
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LangLit
An International Peer-Reviewed Open Access Journal
Vol. 8 Issue 3 168 February , 2022
Website: www.langlit.org Contact No.: +91-9890290602
Indexed: ICI, Google Scholar, Research Gate, Academia.edu, IBI, IIFC, DRJI
ISSN 2349-5189
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the Dalits refused to label Untouchable a Dalit novel or Tendulkar's Kanyadaan
a Dalit drama, despite the fact that the protagonists were Dalits because the
upper caste creators of these works appropriated outsiders' voices. (Rao)
The image is purely sympathetic and hence lacks Dalit sensibility. Because identity is a central
theme in Dalit literature.
Dalit literature is influenced by African-American literature, the Harlem Renaissance, the Black
Panther Movement, the Dalit Panther Movement, the struggle to establish or prove one's human
identity, Marxist social values, class struggle, the struggle against untouchability, and the
pursuit of education, as well as the ideological traits of Buddha, Charvak, Jyotirao Phule, King
Shahu, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Dalit literature is characterised by Dalit Consciousness, which is described as "the
consciousness of Dalits."
In Dalit literature, the Dalit consciousness is defined as the revolutionary
attitude associated with struggle. It is a belief in rebelling against the caste
system that places a premium on the human being. This consciousness is
inspired by Ambedkarite thinking. Dalit consciousness awakens slaves to their
enslavement. Dalit consciousness is a critical seed for Dalit literature; it is
distinct and distinct from other writers' consciousness. Dalit literature is
classified as Because of this consciousness, and he is special. (32 Limbale)
Identity, aesthetics, language, style, themes, forms, and situations are all addressed in Dalit
literature. Furthermore, existing theoretical, literary, and critical approaches and methods must
be used to appreciate and evaluate Dalit literature, whether eastern or western. Traditional
Indian literary theory, which is based on Hinduism and Sanskritized literary and critical
practises, is insufficient. Applying so-called Indian and Western theory to Dalit literature is also
an interpretive effort, but it is insufficient, and only then are new and distinct readings of Dalit
literature possible. It is an attempt to explore various aspects of Dalit writing.
Uniqueness in Indian Dalit Literature:
Individuals and communities from the Dalit community excel in every field. Dalit literature is a
distinct body of work that promotes a better and more tolerable way of life. Dalit literature is
defined by Irfan Habib as follows: The Dalit writer's sensibility, like that of the Black
American writer, has made him an iconoclast as well as a creative. Without a socio- anthropological perspective, it is impossible to comprehend or analyse it. The plight of India's
outcasts is the focus of Dalit literature. The life of a pariah has always been a source of
universal pain, and Dalit literature has finally expressed it. And the pain of the Dalit is not
unique. It is a problem that affects the entire Dalit community. Suffering takes on a life of its
own in the Dalit writer's writing. The Dalit author's commitment is to effect social change
through a struggle against caste untouchables who are relegated to the margins of social and
cultural life. The Dalit author aspires to see a cultural revolution in India.
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LangLit
An International Peer-Reviewed Open Access Journal
Vol. 8 Issue 3 169 February , 2022
Website: www.langlit.org Contact No.: +91-9890290602
Indexed: ICI, Google Scholar, Research Gate, Academia.edu, IBI, IIFC, DRJI
ISSN 2349-5189
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Each human person deserves liberty, honour, security, and protection against intimidation by
society's dominant components. These values are now articulated through a distinct genre of
literature known as Dalit literature. Recognising the significance of the human being, this
literature is dense with the joys and sufferings of humanity. It considers humans as
paramount and directs them toward complete revolution. Thus, in an era of globalisation, the
function of Dalit literature, Dalit writers, and the philosophy that underpins Dalit literature
are critical.
The essence of Dalit Literature: \sDalit literature is preoccupied with Dalit consciousness.
The literary work must investigate 'Dalit sensibility.' Dalit consciousness is the intended
concept or idea that encompasses the role of Dalit literature, Dalit writers, Dalit sensibility,
and Dalits, as well as specific solutions for protesting and revolting against Dalit individual
and community exploitation. Caste, class, demography, and gender are all used to exploit
Dalits who are equated with the concept of 'purity' by caste Hindu elites.
In Dalit literature, the Dalit consciousness is defined as the revolutionary attitude associated
with struggle. It is a belief in rebelling against the caste system that places a premium on the
human being. However, Ambedkarite is the source of this consciousness. Dalit consciousness
awakens slaves to their enslavement. Dalit consciousness is a critical seed for Dalit literature;
it is distinct and distinct from other writers' consciousness. Dalit literature is distinguished by
this consciousness. Marathi and Dalit literature embodied global liberation. The term Dalit
did not refer to caste; rather, it alluded to those who had been exploited in the past and were
now fighting back. Thus, whereas neo-Buddhist writers scoffed at the term Dalit, Dalit
writers embraced it. Because the term Dalit has taken on a new meaning in contemporary
discourse, it does not seem proper for neo-Buddhist scholars to oppose it. As a result, the
term 'Dalit' originated in Marathi and spread around the world.
Role of Dalit Writers in Dalit Literature:
Among the four fundamental components of literary creation, the author, the text, the setting,
and the reader, the author is the most critical. Authors express themselves through their
literary works. He or she is not innocent, as he or she arrives and is reflected by his or her
socio-cultural background. In the context of a Dalit writer, a Dalit is someone who was born
and raised in the Dalit caste and has encountered exploitation through caste, class, gender,
and patriarchy. Through literary expressions, he or she has taken a particular role in societal
reformation. A creator is manifested in his or her work. In his Preface to Lyrical Ballads,
William Wordsworth claimed that a poet's (writer's) responsibility is to communicate in the
language of the people and to comment on common subjects. The famous historian and critic
Irfan Habib defines the function of a Dalit writer as follows: "The Dalit writer wishes to
change it; he does not wish for it to remain as it was in the past or as it is in the present." His
creative vitality is sapped and depleted by his encounter with his "dalitness." He is in the
same boat as the African-American writer. His "Dalitness," like the Negro's "Blackness,"
keeps him mentally tense at all times.
Indian Society and Dalit Literature:
In Indian society, caste is the most contentious element. Caste is defined by the following
characteristics: heredity, marriage limitations, customary occupation, dietary standards, and