‘It makes the reader question little aspects of their upbringing’

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: In recent times, as the youth have become more aware of caste politics and with a rise in access to information, there has been a wave of new narratives to show light on Dalits. This is happening from within the community.

These writers include P Sivakami and Vasantha Surya who were in conversation with Mini Krishnan at the recently concluded Bangalore Lit Fest where they spoke about Owning the Narrative.

P Sivakami, a prolific Dalit-feminist writer and an activist, who has six novels and more than fifty short stories, two poetry collections and four essay collections to her credit, recently published her first novel in English titled ‘The Language of the Mirror’.

Speaking at the Fest she said, "If you have your domestic help and others enter via the back door or eat on different plates or sit on the floor while you sit on a table, it leaves an impression that is hard to undo after the kids become adults.”

She also questioned why politicians resort to 'free rice' gimmicks when Dalit movements have always been about equal access to education, healthcare and respect in society. “Instead of becoming managers of their forefather's properties and pride, youngsters today should focus on developing their own identity, which will help in expanding horizons beyond caste-based limitations,” she said, while also noting that the change of this kind will be “slow and gradual”.

“Youngsters are questioning traditions and trying to gauge concepts with logic,” she added, with the hope that Dalit literature will help push change.