Concept Note:
Dalit Autobiography is a distinctive literary
form in the sense that it shifts from personal ‘I’ to communal ‘we’. This
shifting from individual to communal differentiates such autobiographies from
mainstream autobiographies where the autobiography mainly centers round
personal experiences of the autobiographer concerned. On the other hand, Dalit
Autobiographies deal not only with the individual writer but also with the
community he or she belongs to.
Transformation of individualistic ‘I’ into communal ‘we’ makes such
autobiographies completely distinctive literary form. Such autobiography
reflects not only Dalit life and suffering but also their voice of protest and
resistance. In this sense, Dalit autobiographers are activists and writers as
well. Among Dalit autobiographers, irrespective of gender, there are
innumerable autobiographies written by male and female Dalit writers. So, the
area of present study is immense and wide. Authors can apply their liberty in
choosing their preferred Dalit autobiographer. Some famous and suggested Dalit
autobiographers, whom authors may prefer, though not compulsory, are given
below:
Male
Dalit Autobiographers:
Sharan Kumar Limbale, Laxman Mane, Narendra
Jadhav, Balbir Madhopuri, Kancha Ilaiah, Shankararo Kharat, Daya Pawar, P.E.
Sonkamble, Arvind Malagatti, G. Kalyana Rao, Laxman Gaikwad, K.A. Gunasekaran, Omprakash
Valmiki, Siddalingaiah, Y.B. Satyanarayana, Kishore Shantabai Kale etc.
Female
Dalit Autobiographers: