Dalit Feminism - Significance and Relevance: An Overview

Dr. Saraswathi K B

Dr. Saraswathi K B Professor

Keywords: Gender, Caste, Literature, Dalit feminism, Patriarchy, Women Movement

Abstract

Post-Modern discourses have aided in understanding the formation of caste discourses and gender discourses as multiple realities. As such it is important to integrate the disciplines of Dalit studies and Gender studies in order to understand the fundamental way in which caste and gender as systems of discrimination inflect each other in our hierarchical and stratified society. While this kind of analysis is path breaking, it nevertheless needs to be extended to include socio-cultural and literary contexts in order to enable more productive readings of Dalit discourses. A way to conceive of ‘Gender reality’ in terms of Caste is lacking. So it becomes essential to look at the struggles of representation, inclusions and exclusions imminent in the usage of the category ‘woman’.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Dr. Saraswathi K B, Professor

Dr. Saraswathi K B is an Associate Professor of English at Government First Grade College, Tiptur, Karnataka, affiliated to Tumkur University. She is a columnist, translator, poet and research scholar.

She has also worked on “Elements of Decolonisation in Indian Poetry” as a part of Minor Project submitted to the University Grants Commission. She is the sole author of a collection of critical essays on contemporary social issues in Karnataka titled 'Dakshinamukhi' in 2015. 'Stifled Voices' the book of seminar proceedings is compiled under her editorship to commemorate the papers presented at the National Seminar organized by the Department of English, GFGC Tiptur sponsored by the UGC on "Censorship: Challenges to Creative writing", published in 2016.

References

1. Joan Wallach Scott, ‘Gender: A useful Category of Historical Analysis’ in “Feminism & History”, OUP. Oxford 1996.
2. Gerda Lerner, “The Creation of Patriarchy”, OUP. New York. 1986.
3. Tharu Susie and Niranjana. T, ‘Problems for a contemporary Theory of Gender’, Hyderabad, 2001. p 494-526.
4. Kothari Rajni, ‘Rise of the Dalits and the renewed debate on Caste’, EPW, Vol. 29 (26) June 25, 1994.
5. Gopal Guru, ‘Dalit women talk differently’, EPW, Oct 14-21, 1995.
6. P.Kesava Kumar, ‘Negotiating Caste and Gender: An experience of Andhra Politics’ in “Insight” Vol I No. 7-8 March-April 2005. p 41.
7. Sonal Shukla and Vibhuti Patel, translated by Joy Deshmukh.
8. In “Gender and Caste”, edt by Anupama Rao, Kali for women, New Delhi, 2003 pp 80-99.
9. Swathy Margaret, ‘Dalit Feminism’ in “Unbroken People” Vol 2. No2. Quarterly Magazine, July 2005. Vol 1 No:2
10. Paulo Feire, “The pedagogy of the Oppressed”, 1972
11. Jupaka Subhadra, “Just Between us”, edt by Core group, Women Unlimited, New Delhi. 2004
12. Guru, Gopal “Atrophy in Dalit Politics”, Vikas Adyayan Kendra, Mumbai, 2005.
13. Raka Ray, “Fields of Protest: Women’s Movements in India”, Kali for Women, New Delhi, 2002.