Bama (Bama Faustina Soosairaj) is one of the most celebrated contemporary Dalit women writers whose work has been translated into English. Bama?s Sangati loosely strings voices that showcase how Dalit women?s bodies are scarred by the many burdens of domestic and sexual labour and yet how in ways they are better placed than caste-Hindu women. Although Karukku was persona in nature, Sangati deals with the community at large: the community of Dalit women who are marginalized, discriminated, isolated and humiliated both on the grounds of caste as well as gender. It also discusses how Dalit women are constantly exploited by the powerful castes and experiences faced by the two protagonists - Maariamma and Maikkanni in the novel. The plight of Dalit women in the Indian society as depicted in Karukku is sad and labeled with considerable misery. Karukku very significantly raises questions on caste and religious issues that damage our society. These two fictional writings of Bama portray several issues of violence on Dalit women, wife beating, sexual harassment, loneliness, ignorance, etc at their own homes within the community. Because of the unkind customs prevailing, they cannot speak of their own and finally becomes subalterns. This article reflects on the issues of women portrayed in both novels- Sangati and Karukku. It is emphasized in terms of class, caste and religion with proper lens of subaltern context.
Research Scholar, P.G. Dept. of English, Magadh University, Bodh-Gaya
