This article explores Karukku, the groundbreaking autobiography by Dalit Christian writer Bama, through the lens of cultural ambivalence and Dalit identity. It critically examines how Bama navigates the intersection of caste, gender, and religion, portraying the double marginalization faced by Dalit women within both societal and religious structures. Through her poignant narration and unconventional stylistic choices, Bama challenges dominant literary and cultural norms, using Tamil as a tool of resistance and authenticity. The study highlights how Karukku serves not only as a personal narrative but also as a powerful socio-political critique that redefines Dalit literature. The article positions Bama’s work as a pivotal contribution to cultural discourse, emphasizing the transformative role of literature in voicing the experiences of the oppressed.
References
Bama. Karukku. Translated by Lakshmi Holmström, Oxford University Press, 2000.
Holmström, Lakshmi. “Introduction”. Karukku, by Bama, Oxford University Press, 2000, pp. vii–xvi.
Chandran, Mini. “The Politics of Writing: Bama’s Karukku.” Indian Literature, vol. 56, no. 3, 2012, pp. 44–51. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/23348762.
Gauthaman, Raj. Dalit Cultural Critique. Translated by S. Theodore Baskaran, Navayana, 2011.
Rao, Anupama. The Caste Question: Dalits and the Politics of Modern India. University of California Press, 2009.
