Published Paper Details:

Literature serves as a pivotal nexus of various socio-economic factors. It possesses the capacity for resistance and revolutionary functions. Additionally, literature is shaped by subaltern histories rooted in the school of history. In contemporary Indian literature, subalternity emerges as a predominant concept, with literary writers directing their focus towards marginalized voices in society. Indian authors have reimagined both fictional and non-fictional narratives to give voice to the silenced perspectives of subalterns. Conversely, during colonial India, disciplines such as history, social science, literature, and politics witnessed a surge of creativity through the exploration of 'the village and the individual' not merely as remnants of an ancient civilization but as nascent forms potentially alternative to capitalism. Many narratives in Hindi and regional languages portray perspectives on village life and society during both colonial and post-colonial periods. This paper examines the works of two eminent writers, Premchand from Hindi literature and Mahasweta Devi from Bengali literature, while also surveying Dalit literature from a subaltern perspective. These writers illuminate the enduring societal challenges from below, illustrating contrasting rural and urban landscapes. Whereas history typically chronicles events from above, literature often documents history from the vantage point of those at the grassroots. This study aims to explore the early roots of literature focusing on subaltern themes before the formal advent of subaltern studies as a methodological framework in India.