Awakening the Aboriginals through the Panacea of
Ambedkar’s Dalit Literature: An Understanding of Victimological Perspective and
Ambedkar's Influence upon Other Dalit Story Tellers
Mousumi
Das,
Assistant professor,
Department of English,
Kandi Raj College, Kandi,
Murshidabad,
West Bengal, India.
Abstract:
This paper portrays Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s
influential role in shaping Dalit literature as a popular literary genre in
post-colonial India. The literature that echoes the voice of the exploited masses
belonging to the margin of the society is known as Dalit literature.. Dr.
Ambedkar started Dalit Movement along with Mahatma Jyotiba Phule for
eliminating inequality from society. This movement expedites the birth of Dalit
literature. The messiah of the untouchables, Dr. Ambedkar strives for promoting
their status from social inferiority, indignity, dishonor and humiliation to
equal treatment. His was an iconoclastic approach towards longstanding
hierarchy prevailed in Hindu caste system. He realized the need of education of
those marginalized lot for their upliftment; for status quo in society can only
be achieved through the understanding of management. This prophet of Dalit
movement conceived that literature is very instrumental in awakening Dalit consciousness
for self-elevation. Himself being the embodiment of Dalit ideology, Babasaheb
Ambedkar have penned few books concerning casteist issues beside being the
designer of Indian Constitution. His famous creations are Annihilation of Caste, Castes in India, Who
were the Shudras?, the Untouchables, States and Minorities etc. He is a
magnetic force to exercise tremendous influence upon successive Dalit writers,
say, Omprakash Valmiki, Narendra Jadav, Anna Bahu Sathe, Bama, Baby Kambale et
al. His speeches, life mission and scholarly writings encourage the Dalit
panthers to raise their voice for a casteless society through various literary
pieces. The basic theme of those subaltern studies concerns Ambedkar’s humanist
ideology. Very often Ambedkar himself becomes the protagonist of Dalit stories
for he had to undergo the bitter experience of social discrimination throughout
entire life. This research paper, however, aims at re-exploring Ambedkar’s
profound impact upon Dalit Story-tellers and re-assessing the significance of
Dalit writings as a popular literary genre.
Keywords:
Dalit literature, Messiah, Untouchables, Ideology, Subaltern studies
Introduction: Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the
first law minister of Independent India, achieved world-wide eminence for his
versatile genius. Besides being a pedantic profile, he had a generous outlook
that enforced him to voice against Dalit predicament, thereby paving the way
for Dalit literature and be a role-model for a good many Dalit story-writers.
In keeping with the objective of the study this article has been furnished
quoting Dr. Vishwanath Prasad Varma who hails Ambedkar in his Modern Indian
Political Thought in the following words:
“Dr. Ambedkar was a social
prophet of the untouchables. He denounced the monstrous inequities and
outrageous calumnies which Brahmanical Hinduism has heaped upon the
Untouchables and the bitterness of his fury against Hinduism is apparent in his
works.” (Varma, p. 570)
This
tribute, it seems to me, is worth mentioning in contextualizing Ambedkar’s whole-hearted endeavour
to eradicate Hindu Caste system
and establish the dignity of the underprivileged in society by dint of his
potential Dalit stories and exercising
tremendous impact upon numerous Dalit
story-tellers.
By
birth a Mahar, the great Indian scholar had to be a victim of maltreatment, the
evil fruit of the practices of untouchability throughout his entire life. This
resulted in an iron like determination within the core his heart that urged him
to be a crusader to combat with the horrors of untouchability and build modern
India with equal status of all classes. It was his revolutionary zeal that
inspired him to start Dalit Movement, an inseparable part of which is Dalit
literature.
The
term ‘Dalit literature’ first gained its trace to the first Dalit Literary
Conference in 1958; where the exact meaning of the term had been defined
elaborately. Dalit literature echoes the
voice of the suppressed classes of society. The function of Dalit literature is
to cleanse the rotten traditions of society by means of accepting new values of
life. It opposes racial biasness. The seed of Dalit literature was first sowed
in Maharastra, the birthplace of Dr. Ambedkar who firmly stressed that the
prime reason behind untouchability is racial discrimination and abhorrence of
the superior towards the inferior and its resultant dependence of the latter
upon the former.
Dr.
Ambedkar , a representative of lower class community, had to be a scape-goat of
relentless caste prejudices. Quite naturally, he perceived the importance of
education of the marginalized lot who had been exploited throughout the ages
due to their ignorance. Spread of knowledge among the so-called untouchables,
Ambedkar envisaged, is the only way
of achieving status quo in society; as understanding of management
remains impossible without education. To get rid of the clutches of cruel caste
system the depressed classes need to be enlightened by gaining real knowledge.
Dalit consciousness would get changed after acquiring knowledge. Ambedkar’s
revolutionary spirit played an influential role in this regard. His efforts
with Bahiskrit Hitkarini Sabha, burning of Manusmriti, entry into the Kalaram
Temple, Mahad Liberation Movement challenged the very foundations of the Hindu
hegemony and hit a blow at the root of power of caste Hindus. Such innovative
use of satyagrahas had changed Dalit consciousness. That is why, Ambedkar, the leader of atisudras
has been considered with much reverence the sole inspiration for Dalit
literature.
Dr.
Ambedkar, having undergone the pungent experiences of orthodox casteism, stood
for perfect embodiment of Dalit ideology. He incarnated the miseries and
misfortunes of a downtrodden people that finds vivid reflection in his works.
Thus he became peerless in Dalit story-telling; as the mouthpiece of those
unhonoured beings. What deserves mentioning here is that, in spite of being a
surrogate of deprived community, his inborn faculty as well as his earnest
desire for accumulating profound knowledge helped him to attain sublime kind of
charisma. His enormous study based on different genres like law, politics,
religious literature, ancient doctrines, sociology and economics enriched his
scholastic genius. A critical survey of the entire bulk of his work testifies
his dynamic wandering through various domains of knowledge. It is to be noted
that he set up a luminous empire of scholarly works only through studying
prosperous resources of different
subjects. Instead of initiating a mere mass movement or bloodsheds, the
great scholar reached his noble goal of abolishing casteism exposing his
craftsmanship as an intellectual writer.
Dr.
Ambedkar touched the acme of Dalit story writing by his close proximity with
not only polity, economics, sociology, banking and commerce, but with the help
of his intense acquaintance with Indian and World history of ancient, medieval
and modern periods also. If one go through the content of his writing, can
easily perceive the gravity of his brilliance. The interpretations he provided
there with evidences, data and citations vivify his concern with contemporary
anecdotes. It is admissible that his legendary contribution lies in his
accomplishment of drafting Indian constitutions which is testimonial of his
innate genius. It reflects the humanitarian aspect of a great man’s elevated
thoughts to protect the cause of abandoned classes and destroy Hindu caste hierarchy.
With a view to annihilating the pernicious obstacles laid down by casteism this
great visionary stood against the adversities like a rebel by creating
admirable literary pieces. He had a vast study of Hindu religion as well as
Buddhist philosophy. Relevantly speaking, Dr. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism
from his former Hindu religion. He probed into those religious doctrines to
look for required citations and references to strike to the origin of Hindu
varna system. Accessing the essence of real knowledge with penetrating insight
he acknowledged that there is no discrimination in true religion; the varna
system had been designed to lay down the atrocities and injustice upon the
down- trodden people from time immemorial. They had become oppressed generation
after generation by so called high caste holders who always used to overpower
those deprived section. An overview of Ambedkar’s literary works proves that he
not only found out the irrational cause behind creating caste system but
presented scholarly decisions also. All those intelligible hypotheses that have
been articulated in his works create an intensive impact upon the Dalit masses
to a great extent for the emancipation of their psychological barriers by
reforming the topsy-turvied society governed by ruthless caste system. Few
landmarks of his research attitude regarding castiest issues, such as, Annihilation
of Caste, Castes in India, Who were the Shudras?, Manu and the Shudras, Essays
on Untouchables and Untouchability, Philosophy of Hinduism, Riddle in Hinduism,
The Untouchable Who were they and Why they became Untouchable, Untouchable of
the Children of India? are significant enough for upfolding his analytical
views that evoke the awakening of the Dalit’s from their mental inferiority
imposed upon them artificially and systematically by the conservative Brahmins
for their own convenience. His literary device of analysing historical, social,
religious and contemporary phenomena is brilliant as well as beautiful.
The leader of the Dalits, Dr. Ambedkar wrote
six autobiographical illustrations, entitled Waiting for Visa (1946-47) which
was published posthumously. In order to bring the suppression of the
untouchable before the eyes of the foreigners he enumerated some disheartening
events of his life in this work. His philosophy entailed the upliftment of the
root-level people. For his immense potentiality in giving expression of the
plight of the Dalit through literature, Nimbalkar eulogises him saying, , Dr.
B.R. Ambedkar is the source of inspiration.
Strongly
motivated by his mentor Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Ambedkar translated his ideology
into a political struggle. His revolutionary vision symbolised by his work was
very instrumental in bringing immense vivacity in the realm of Dalit
literature. A rigorous follower of Buddha Dr. Ambedkar had an extensive
knowledge of Buddha’s sermons that had been considered the first pieces of
Dalit literature. The very words preached by Buddha in his teaching were
–equality, liberty, and fraternity: that was propagated by Ambedkar in his
immortal creation Buddha and His Dhamma. This book of Ambedkar unraveled
the Dalit’s enthusiasm for socio-cultural resurgence. The most practical effect
borne out by Dalit literature lies in the acceptance of Buddhism by Dr.Ambedkar
and his followers to get rid of the tyranny of Hindu dogmas. Ambedkar’s writing
and activities educated the Dalits to analyse their socio-cultural position
with a critic’s view. They were encouraged by the current of new wave of Dalit
literature that conveyed the message of rationality. The writings of Ambedkar
resulted in the cognitive emergence of Dalit masses who dreamt of democratic
Indian society free from the pollution of degrading social customs. Intending
to denounce the intricacies of Hindu caste system Ambedkar elucidated that it
would oneday become a global problem from local one if it survives day after
day in his Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development
(1916). Again, in his most famous work Annihilation of Caste (1936) ,
Ambedkar critically explained the degenerating aspects of Caste system and
argued : “There cannot be a more degrading system of social organisation than
the caste system. It is the system that deadens paralyses and cripples the
people from helpful activity” (Ambedkar, 17.7). This great social reformer
ardently attempted to establish the prestigious position of the fourth varna, that
is, Shudras to the society. In this respect, he propounded his scholastic study
exploring the origin of the Shudras in his historical book “Who were the
Shudras?’’ Here he alluded to
various ancient scriptures like The Mahabharata, Rigveda to
claim that originally the Shudras were Aryans, a part of the Kshatriya
Varna and solar dynasty. In this book he ascertained that the Dasas and Dasyus,
far from being savages were civilized and “in fact were more powerful than the
Aryans” (Ambedkar, Who werethe Shudras?, p.155) In this connection, Dr.
Vishwanath Prasad Varma commented: “Ambedkar has forcefully put forward the
view that the Shudras were not dark-skinned aboriginals enslaved or
subordinated by the Aryan invaders who belonged to the Kshatriya solar
dynasty…Brahmins were responsible for the degradation of the Shudras.’’(Varma,
p. 569)
His
another writing The Untouchables Who Were They and Why They Become
Untouchables? (1948), is a sequel to the treatise The Shudras- Who They
Were and How They Come to be the Fourth Varna of the Indo-Aryan Society
(1946). This book also contained his abhorrence against the vicious Indian
Caste system that would beget the curse of untouchability as a social malady.
This book attempts at investigating the origin of untouchability that has no
racial bias. Here Ambedkar proposed that Untouchable are distinct from the
Impure.
However,
what I like to present in this paper is Ambedkar’s high profile as a
story-teller of Dalit life as well as his influential role in shaping Dalit
literature as a vigorous inspiration for the Dalit panthers. The first issue
has been highlighted already. Henceforth, the discussion should proceed relating
how the Dalit panthers drew their inspiration from Dr. Ambedkar’s writing.
There is no denying the fact that Ambedkar, the emblem of humanist ideology,
inspired the Dalit writers to compose the literary pieces ascertaining equal
treatment of human beings. Therefore, humanity became the actual religion of
Dalit literature.
Writers
like Omprakash Valmiki, Anna Bahu Sathe, Narendra Jadav, Baby Kamble, Bama,
Baburao Bagul, Namdeo Dhasal, Raja Dhale, Shantabai Kamble are few recognized
entities in this realm of literature. They are the successors of the prophet of
Dalit literatiure, Dr. Ambedkar. What is to be noted here is that they not only
follow Ambedkar’s ideas in this trend but they also have expertised their hand
in this genre portraying Ambedkar as the protagonist of their story; normally
because Ambedkar is a direct witness of Dalit exploitation.
Omprakash
Valmiki, an outstanding Dalit writer borrowed inspiration of his writing from
Dr. Ambedkar’s biography written by Chandrika Prasad Jigyasu. Ambedkar’s ideology got vivid expression in
his short-story collection Salaam and the story entitled Amma. Like
Ambedkar, Valmiki craves for ensuring self-respect of those ostracized people
and actively participates in Dalit literary movement. Ambedkar’s impact upon
Valmiki has been evident in Joothan: An Untouchable’s Life (2008) where
he acknowledged that Ambedkar’s firm resolution about eradication of casteism
directs him to read all the books written by Ambedkar that he could access from
the library.
Namdeo
Dhasal and Raja Dhale are two highly esteemed Dalit writers who launched Dalit
Panther Movement (1970) in Maharashtra drawing moral support from the literary
creations of Dr. Ambedkar. Dhasal’s stories portrayed the lives of the
downtrodden with a humanistic approach.
Another
Dalit story-teller, Baburao Bagul conveyed his tribute to Ambedkar for his
contribution in liberating the subordinated Dalit masses in the following
words:
“Dr.
Ambedkar was the essence of social revolution itself and embodied the mythical
value-structure and ideals of the Dalits…He became their leader in order to
eradicate suffering, untouchability and caste distinctions.’’ (Bagul, p. 294)
The
collection of short-stories, Jevah Mi Jaat Chorli Hoti (When I Hid My Caste)
written by Baburao Bagul, has been highly applauded by many critics as the epic
of the Dalits; because this immortal creation enhances the progress of Dalit
literary movement. Needful to mention, he is first man who conceived
internationalization of Dalit literature.
Anna
Bahu Sathe, another established name in the sphere of Dalit literary movement
won the award for his novel Fakira (1959) and dedicated this award to
Dr. Ambedkar who provided much inspiration in blooming Sathe’s artistic genius
in dalit literary scenario. Evidently,
Sathe honoured Ambedkar in the poem “Take a Hammer to Change the World’’
in the quoted lines:
“…to break
the chains of class and caste
Hold to the name of Bhim.’’ (Sathe, p.5)
Narendra Jadav presented
Ambedkar as a living character in his novel Outcaste .Here he directly
mentioned a few incidents of Babasaheb’s life such as Mahadsatyagraha, Kalaram
Temple entry etc. The writer, motivated by the revolutionary spirit of
Ambedkar, hankered after attaining self-respect and self-knowledge. This text unravels
Ambedkar’s message about the efficacy of education. He exhorted that education
can only be the best healer of all social maladies.
Bama
and Baby Kamble are two pioneering Dalit women writers who urge that education
is needed for both boys and girls to ensure their equal treatment in society.
Inspired by Ambedkar’s emphasis on equal rights for women, those women-writers
proceeded to unveil a new horizon of feminist approach.
To
sum up the aim of my study, it should be mentioned that Dr. Ambedkar was not
the inspiration of only Marathi Dalit
writers, he remained an ideal for Telegu Dalit writers also, namely Gurram
Joshua, Katthi Padma Rao, Yenduri Sudhakar, Madduri Nagesh Babu, Peilaidi Theresh
Babu and many others. All of them contributed in flourishing Dalit literature
to the full fledge. Subsequently, this genre of literature gains popularity in
each and every corner of the world and Ambedkar’s name must be pronounced
reverently as ultimate inspiration for the creation of Dalit literature till
the day the world would exist. To remember Dr. Ambedkar’s accomplishment in the
emergence of Dalit movement and Literature, Limbale paid homage to this noble
soul in the words below: Ambedkarite ideology is the true inspiration
for Dalit Literature. Dalit society found self-respect through Babasaheb’s
ideas and agitations’’ (Limbale. p. 46). This is, I think, an appropriate
homage to appreciate this honorable persona who was very dear to the Dalit
hearts.
Works Cited
Ambedkar, B.R.
Annihilation of Caste, 17.7 (An Undelivered Speech), 1936
---. Who were the
Shudras?, Bombay: Thacker & Company ; 1946, p.155
Bagul, Baburao: Dalit
Literature is but Human Literature, an essay from Poisoned Bread ed. by
Arjun Dangle, Orient Blackswan, 2009, p. 294
Limbale, Sharankumar: Dalit
Literature and Ambedkarism in Towards an Aesthetic of Dalit Literature,
Orient Blackswan, 2020, p.46
Sathe, Anna Bhau: Take
a Hammer to Change the World, a poem from Poisoned Bread ed. by Arjun
Dangle, Orient Blackswan, 2009, p.5
Varma, Dr. Vishwanath
Prasad: Modern Indian Political Thought. vol. ii, 9th ed. Agra, 1987, p.
569-570