Tamil Dalit writing set to go English


From the fringes of literature to the portals of the Oxford University

Press (OUP), it has been a long march for Dalit writing in Tamil Nadu.

At a time when Dalit assertion is making itself heard in the political

sphere, the OUP is bringing out an anthology of English translations

of Tamil Dalit writing, seeking to give a clear picture of the

different phases of writing and activities of Dalits in the State over

a century.

The anthology, featuring the works of 40 writers, is divided into four

sections: poetry, fiction (short story and novel), drama and prose

(autobiography, speeches, biography and archival materials); and will

be released on April 10.

Along wit
h Bama, whose novel Karukku portrayed Dalit life in the

authentic language of the people, Imayam, whose Koveru Kazhuthaikal

told the story of puthirai vannar (dhobies working for Dalits), K.A.

Gunasekaran, a writer and singer, former IAS officer P. Sivakami, Cho

Dharman, Azhagiya Periyavan, and many others writers, Dalit leaders

such as Dr. K. Krishnasamy, Thol Thirumavalavan and Athiyaman have

found a place in the collection.


"Being part of modern Tamil writing that has touched enviable heights

among Indian regional languages, Dalit writing, in terms of form,

content and aesthetics, has witnessed great literary achievements.

Moreover, Dalit writing in Tamil Nadu has a conscious political

continuity since the 19th century, when the political discourse of the

marginalised was dominated by scholars such as Pundit Iyothee Thass,

Rettamalai Srinivasan and M.C.Rajah," explains Ravikumar, former MLA

and one of the editors of the Anthology.

Pundit Iyothee Thass was a great Tamil scholar, who wrote commentaries

on classical Tamil literary works from a Buddhist point of view. "His

writings comprise all elements of modernity," points out Mr Ravikumar.


Pundit Iyothee Thass and Rettaimalai Srinivasan had run their own

magazines. The subscription of "Paraiyan" (1893-1900), a magazine run

by Srinivasan, enjoyed a circulation higher than mainstream magazines

and newspapers. The same was the case with Tamizhan (1907-1914) edited

by Iyothee Thass. If Srinivasan believed strongly in emancipation of

the depressed classes through political participation, the 1940s saw

the emergence of Swami Sahajananda, a staunch Saivite, who sought to

achieve the objective within the fold of Hindu religion.


"The pieces of literature selected for this anthology will show a

marked shift in the canon of Dalit literature that prioritises only a

subjective and confessional mode. These stories show a deep concern

about representing the function of caste as a mode of power and

foregrounds the challenges involved in writing creatively about it,"

says Mini Krishnan, Editor of OUP Translation.


Mr Ravikumar says all the 40 writers are Dalits by birth, while

explaining that the term 'Dalit' is not an identity, but a form of

'subjectivity'.


"Dalit is a consciously chosen ideological position against the caste

system. An untouchable alone can be a Dalit because caste defines a

person by birth. It is like feminist position. Every woman is not a

feminist, but only a woman can be a feminist," Mr. Ravikumar further

says.


Mini Krishnan notes that the prose aims not just to reconstruct the

history of century-old Dalit struggle in Tamil society, but to also

point out issues addressed by Dalit intellectuals.

Source: [ZESTCaste] Dr.ambedkar and his people.
B. Kolappan. The Hindu.