“Literature can’t be identified with a community”

Identifying writes as Dalits prevents them from becoming part of the mainstream, says Ravikumar

Long before the interface between Dalit identity and politics had been clearly established, Dalit writers in Tamil Nadu made their impact felt on the literary scene.

Writers such as Imayam, Sivakami, Ravikumar, Poomani and Bama testify to the trend. But when it comes to the link between identity and literature, some of them have reservations about using the term ‘Dalit literature.’

“The writing of a Brahmin from Thanjavur or some other region is just identified as literature. The works of Ki. Rajanarayanan are described as

karisal kattu (dryland) literature, Nanjil Nadan’s work as

Nanjil Naattu literature and Perumal Murugan’s work as

Kongu literature. No one is referring to the writer’s caste identity. I am also a writer and am against any branding,” said Imayam.

At a seminar organised by the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) and the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Youth Development (RGIYD) on ‘Interface between Dalits and facets of development,’ Imayam, associated with the Dravidian movement, said the objective of literature was to speak of human misery and pain, and it could not be identified with any particular community.

Imayam’s first novel Koveru Kazhuthaikal dealt with the problem of Puthirai Vannaars , dhobis working for the Dalits. But, his later works defied any specific identity though Thagappan , a novella, is based on the real-life tragic love story of Divya and Ilavarasan of Dharmapuri.

The writer and former MLA of the Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK), Ravikumar, said identity could not be imposed on a writer without his will. He said Poomani was one of the writers who stubbornly refused to be identified as a Dalit writer and refused to be part of an anthology of Dalit writings published by Oxford University Press.

“In a way, this identity prevents Dalits from becoming part of the mainstream. I am being seen as a Dalit writer though I have quoted less of Ambedkar and more of Michel Foucault. I am not even given the identity of a translator,” he lamented.

Asked what was wrong with the use of Dalit identity in literature when it could be used in politics, Mr. Ravikumar said it was unfortunate that while caste organisations masquerading as political parties could find a place in mainstream politics, Dalit parties suffered from the image of practising identity politics. “When we ask for general constituencies at seat-sharing talks, we are looked down upon by our alliance partners,” he said.

The former IAS officer, writer and politician, P. Sivakami, said that being a counter to mainstream politics and classicism in literature, Dalit identity was a historic necessity in both fields. But she agreed that a writer’s opinion on this matter should be respected.

“Some may feel they write well and want to be part of the mainstream writing. But the matter is content and not one’s writing skills,” she said. Echoing her views that a writer’s view on this issue should always be taken into consideration, C. Lakshmanan of the MIDS said identity politics was a double-edged knife, and its emancipating power had been compromised.