Dalit Studies (Focus on Malayalam Dalit Writing)

This course for MA English third semester is an elective. It focuses on Malayalam Dalit Writing. It is divided into four Modules: Critical and Theoretical Essays, Poetry, Short Fiction/Autobiography and Fiction along with a background reading list including the Oxford and Penguin anthologies of Dalit Writing in Kerala and South India. 

Course Outcomes

CO1.   Understand the evolution and literary history of Dalit Literature 

CO2.    Comprehend the major texts in Malayalam Dalit writing

CO3.   Critically evaluate the key authors and their works

CO4.   Create a reading position and critical vantage to new Literatures 

CO5.  Interpret and explain Dalit literatures, politics and cultures

CO6.   Analyze contemporary significance of Dalit studies and literature 

CO7.     Critically engage with new works in interdisciplinary ways

CO8.   Evaluate new contexts and cultures in Dalit literatures


Course Content 

Module 1

Critical and Theoretical Essays

 

Susie Tharu and K Satyanarayana  :    “Introduction” to No Alphabet in Sight

T M Yesudasan.                          :  “Towards a Prologue to Dalit Studies” in No Alphabet in Sight

M Dasan et. al.            :  “General Introduction” to Oxford Anthology of Malayalam Dalit Writing

P Sanal Mohan            :    “Caste and Accumulation of Capital” in OAMDW 

Pradeepan Pampirikunnu    :   “What did Literary Histories Say to You?” in OAMDW

K K Kochu.                        :        “Language and People” in OAMDW

Sunny M Kapikkad.           :      “The Dalit Presence in Malayalam Literature” in OAMDW

K K Baburaj            :     “Identity, Alienation, Expression: Dalit Writing in Kerala” in OAMDW

Rekha Raj                :   “Dalit Women and Political Empowerment” in OAMDW

 

Module 2 
Poetry

Poykayil Appachan.       :   “A Song” in Oxford Anthology of Modern Malayalam Literature

K K Govindan.                                   :  “The Killing Field” in OAMDW

Raghavan Atholi.                               :  “Justice Cooked” in OAMDW

S Joseph.                                             :  “The Fishmonger” in OAMML

M R Renukumar.                                :  “The Poison Fruit” in OAMDW

M B Manoj.                                         :  “Survey of India” in OAMDW

Vijila.                                                  :  “A Place for Me” in OAMDW


Module  3
Short story/Autobiography

T K C Vaduthala.                               : “Sweet-offering at Chankranthy” in OAMDW

C Ayyappan.                                       : “Madness” in OAMDW and “Spectral Speech” in OAMML

C K Janu.                                            : Mother Forest

Kallen Pokkudan.                               : “My Life” in OAMDW

 

Module 4 
Fiction

Paul Chirakkarode.                             : The Pulaya Ghetto in OAMDW

P A Uthaman.                                     : The Death Wall in OAMDW

Narayan.                                              : Kocharethi: The Arayar Woman in OAMML

 

 

Recommended Reading:

Susie Tharu and K Satyanarayana (ed.): No Alphabet in Sight: New Dalit Writing from South India

M. Dasan et. al. (ed.),                                     :Oxford Anthology of Malayalam Dalit Writing

P. P. Raveendran and G S Jayasree. (ed.)      : Oxford Anthology of Modern Malayalam Literature

K .Ayyappa Paniker                                        : A Short History of Malayalam Literature

P. Sanal Mohan         : Modernity of Slavery: Struggles against Caste Inequality in Colonial Kerala

George Alex and M B Manoj. (ed.):  Writing in the Dark: A Selection of Malayalam Dalit Poetry

V. V. Swamy and E V Anil. (ed) :     Unknown Subjects: Songs of Poykayil Appachan