Dalit Literature Essay

Dalit fiction, so far, as a category of writing that documents, foregrounds oppression of Dalits by upper castes, state and institutionalized religion. This form of exploitation extends to social, economic, political and sexual spheres of their life. In this context, both Dalit men and women, young or old, in rural milieu or in a metro are targeted without exception. Dalit women face discrimination on grounds of their caste identity, their oppression both at home and outside on account of their gender adds another dimension to questions of identity and empowerment concerning Dalit community. The dual pressures of caste and gender place Dalit women in a specifically far more exploited matrix than their male counterparts. While sexual harassment,

Unlike her earlier works and many of the Dalit writings, in Vanmam, Bama instead of blowing up the agonies and sufferings of the downtrodden, loudly raises her voice and vehemently asserts the need for the unity and solidarity of the suppressed for a better future. It is interesting that many of the writings of Bama have been translated into French before English. As Bama says, “oh, the French have so much regard for literature. They appreciated my writing for its own quality. They didn’t think ‘she is a woman writer’ or ‘she is a Dalit’”. (Vanmam or “Vendetta”, English translation, interview with the author--- p.

It prevails not only in Tamilnadu but alos in everystate of India. Whether it is animosity between Dalits and Elite sections or Dalts with sub-sections, it very pertinent to know that women are subjugated in every sphere of life both by men of upper caste and by her own men and her own community.

The novel, “Vendetta is about animosity between two castes within Dalits. Pallars and Parayars are the two Dalit castes discussed in the novel. Pallars are recognized as Hindus and Parayars are Christian