CASTEISM THROUGH THE PERSPECTIVE OF SUBALTERN WITH REFERENCE TO MEENA KANDASAMY'S THE GYPSY GODDESS

Meena Kandasamy, an intellectual writer, an Indian poet, fictional writer, translator, editor, and social activist. Her debut novel The Gypsy Goddess which deals about the historical massacre which happened fifty years ago in Kilvenmani Village at Nagapattinam District on a fine Christmas Day, 1968. Caste Violence is an important element focused in this novel. The novel portrays the widespread discrimination and sufferings of Dalit people, forty four Dalit men, women and children were burnt alive who were seeking for the higher wages to the landlords at Kilvenmani Village. This paper is an endeavor to bring out the voice of an unheard people. Subaltern literature plays different themes like marginalization, sufferings, slavery of lower caste and working class, gender bias, neglected section of society, ignored women, poverty and poor class, low wages etc. The novel has been translated into German, Dutch and French. This paper is an attempt to scrutinize the brutal behavior of landlords which drags down the people in kilvenmani village.

Automated summary

This article introduces Meena Kandasamy, an Indian writer, and her debut novel "The Gypsy Goddess", which depicts the caste violence that occurred in Kilvenmani Village fifty years ago. The novel aims to bring the voice of the marginalized Dalit people to light by portraying their discrimination and suffering.