Published Paper Details:

Dalit literature, generally considered as the literature of the Dalits, by the Dalits and for the Dalits aims at the liberation of Dalit folk from the oppressive structures and marginalized status in the Hindu society. Writing acts as powerful catalyst for the Dalits to reveal their experiences and sufferings and a spirit of protest against the upper-class in a provocative language. Dalits have succeeded in creating a specific genre in Indian literature across several languages through their continuing demands for equality and human rights through strong emotions. Dalit literature narrates a prevalent level of exploitation and life condition of Dalit community in a very intensive and extensive manner. Sarankumar Limbale’s Akkarmashi or The Outcaste is an emotionally violent autobiography of a marginalized growing outside the territories of the Hindu caste as a half-caste. He suffers the anguish of being torn between two castes, not fully belonging to any. This paper makes an attempt to understand the voice of the Dalits, the problems of fractured identity, untouchability and education as pictured in the Akkarmashi, the autobiographical narrative. Limbale projects before the readers the social and cultural conditions of his community and the humiliation they experience from the privileged class and their hopelessness and helplessness.