In a world among the privileged, the writings of Dalit literature anchor us to reality as these writers write to be acknowledged and understood based on a narrative they provide and not from a third person’s perspective.
These writers use words to create a revolution among the oppressed and put an end to the hardships they face based on their caste. So, here is a list of 6 books under Dalit Literature that one must read that would move you.
#1 Vekkai by Poomani
About the book
Title: Vekkai
Author: Poomani (translated by N Kalyan Raman)
Genre: Indian Literature
Type: Standalone
Pages: 176
Goodreads rating: 4.17/5
Chidambaram, a 15-year-old, killed a man to avenge his elder brother’s murder. He and his father flee to the jungle. Chidambaram’s anger drove him to put up with difficult circumstances and severe treatment and ultimately to submit to the law.
Poomani gives a very graphic explanation of the struggles that low-caste Tamil households face daily—how they deal with their worries, usually on their own, and how they live in terror. An actual story served as its inspiration. The plot of this book is very simple, but it has a strong message regarding casteism.
Why do we recommend this book?
The ending of the book is my favorite part of this book. Poomani does not give a solid ending to the story, almost implying that Chidambaram and his family’s lives move on. Through this book, Poomani shows how similar yet different the lives of a lower caste family are compared to an upper caste family.
To buy Vekkai by Poomani now:
#2 The Prisons We Broke by Babytai Kamble
About the book
Title: The Prisons We Broke
Author: Babytai Kamble (translated by Maya Pandit)
Genre: Autobiography
Type: Standalone
Pages: 198
Goodreads rating: 4.24/5
In her writing about the Mahars of Maharashtra, Babytai Kamble goes down memory lane to place the Mahar society before Ambedkar had an impact on it. She then narrates a story about how a fiery brand of social and self-awareness brought about redemption.
The writing in The Prisons We Broke never lapses into self-pity, despite offering a vivid look into the restrictive caste and patriarchal underpinnings of Indian culture. The story vividly depicts the festivals, ceremonies, marriages, snot-nosed kids, hard lifestyles, and tenacious women of the Mahar group, among other things. This book was originally written in Marathi and called “Jina Amucha.”
This book could be considered the first autobiography of its kind to be written in any Indian language and the first by a Dalit woman.
Why do we recommend this book?
This autobiography by Kamble is about the struggles she faced being a woman, on top of that being a Dalit woman in our society. How can life be more challenging than that? She vividly describes the practices, sufferings, and widespread persecution of the lower caste by the upper caste. She does not write this book because she is looking for pity; instead, she writes in an empowering way, urging people to see how they fall short of being inclusive and respectful to the other castes.
To buy The Prisons We Broke by Babytai Kamble now:
#3 When I Hid My Caste: Stories by Baburao Bagul
About the book
Title: When I Hid My Caste: Stories
Author: Baburao Bagul (translated by Jerry Pinto)
Genre: Dalit Literature
Type: Standalone
Pages: 152
Goodreads rating: 3.94/5
Bagul revealed the suffering, terror, and wrath of the Dalit experience through the lives of marginalized people. The violent, sexual, and exploitative aspects of Dalit life in early post-colonial Maharashtra and the murkier side of urban and rural life are fully displayed. To bring about social change, the unidentified young protagonist of the title narrative risks his life and employment and hides his caste from his coworkers.
This groundbreaking work is uncompromising in portraying the violent and vicious centuries-old caste system. It transformed Dalit fiction by infusing it with raw energy and a bold realism that refused to downplay the terrible reality.
Why do we recommend this book?
What a lovely collection of sad short stories. I experienced a roller coaster of emotions while reading this book. Caste has such a significant impact on Indian society that you never even think to look out for it. One has to add this book to your reading list.
To buy When I Hid My Caste: Stories by Baburao Bagul now:
#4 One Part Woman by Perumal Murugan
About the book
Title: One Part Woman
Author: Perumal Murugan (translated by Aniruddhan Vasudevan)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Type: #1 One Part Woman, #2 A Lonely Harvest, #3 Trial by Silence
Pages: 240
Goodreads rating: 3.79/5
Kali and Ponna’s attempts to produce a child have failed, including their prayers, penance, potions, and pilgrimages. They are continually harassed by the comments and insinuations of those around them while in a loving and sexually satisfying relationship. All of their concerns and hopes ultimately focus on the chariot festival held in the temple of the half-female god Ardhanareeswara and the festivities surrounding it. Everything depends on the one night the laws are lifted, and homosexual unions of any gender are accepted. The couple’s anguish and humiliation may come to an end this evening. But it will also be the ultimate test of their marriage.
Why do we recommend this book?
This book, its writing, and plot are not for everyone. It can be graphic and vulgar at times. This is a controversial book that hit Murugan’s career as a writer. But once you get into the flow of writing and get the hang of the characters, you cannot stop reading this book. The love Ponna and Kali share is just so pure and beautiful.
To buy One Part Woman by Perumal Murugan now:
#5 Annihilation of Caste by Dr. B R Ambedkar
Dr. B R Ambedkar
About the book
Title: Annihilation of Caste
Author: Dr. B R Ambedkar
Genre: Non-fiction, History
Type: Standalone
Pages: 140
Goodreads rating: 4.62/5
In his book “Annihilation of Caste,” Dr. B R Ambedkar discussed the necessity of completely abolishing India’s caste structure to bring about a political revolution. It encapsulates the rebel’s thoughts on the social, moral, and economic oppression that caste and religion cause to people. Originally intended as a speech for the Jat-Pat-Todak Mandal, a group of Caste Hindu social reformers, Ambedkar later published it after the group rejected his request to deliver the speech in its original form. A deep-seated, unadulterated anger rightfully directed toward years of unjust injustice can be felt.
Why do we recommend this book?
In this book, Dr. B R Ambedkar’s words and prevalence are bone-chilling even in the current times. The book’s most surprising aspect is how Ambedkar shames the upper castes with such enthusiasm, disdain, and clever arguments that the reformers from the top castes may be unable to respond to him rationally. One cannot deny this book’s impact once you read it.
To buy Annihilation of Caste by Dr. B R Ambedkar now:
#6 Karukku by Bama
About the book
Title: Karukku
Author: Bama (translated by Lakshmi Holmstrom)
Genre: Autobiography
Type: Standalone
Pages: 170
Goodreads rating: 4.0/5
Bama is the pen name of a Dalit Christian who renounced her habit and left the convent to fight for the rights of her community after realizing that even the revered Roman Catholic church in India was tainted with the poison of caste and untouchability. She speaks candidly about the prejudice she and her community experienced, the struggles and suffering they endured in order to survive, and the challenges they encountered on their path to social progress.
Why do we recommend this book?
The writer writes about strong feelings that happen to her on a daily basis in a simple and elegant manner, which manage to hit a nerve somehow. A beautiful novel packed with emotions.
To buy Karukku by Bama now:
If we are to have even a passing grasp of what it means to be the victims of centuries of exploitation, Dalit literature needs to be translated, read and discussed. I hope these books impact you as they did me. Let us know your favorite book in this genre.
| 1 | Vekkai by Poomani | Buy now |
| 2 | The Prisons We Broke by Babytai Kamble | Buy now |
| 3 | When I Hid My Caste: Stories by Baburao Bagul | Buy now |
| 4 | One Part Woman by Perumal Murugan | Buy now |
| 5 | Annihilation of Caste by Dr. B R Ambedkar | Buy now |
| 6 | Karukku by Bama | Buy now |
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Disclosure: All our recommendations are honest; most importantly, some links in this post are affiliate links (i.e.) we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something we recommend.
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