Dalit Literature: Where to Begin?

Dalit literature is one of the most powerful forms of literary expression in India. It speaks from the margins, challenges caste hierarchies, and insists on recognition, dignity, and justice. For those who wish to begin their journey into this body of work, the sheer variety of texts—autobiographies, novels, poetry, essays, and critical works—can feel overwhelming.

The field is vast, multilingual, and deeply rooted in lived experiences of oppression, resistance, and assertion of identity. Here is a curated list of critical and literary works that can serve as starting points.

Foundational Texts

1. Ambedkar, B. R. Annihilation of Caste: The Annotated Critical Edition. Navayana, 2015.

   A foundational critique of caste oppression by the architect of Dalit emancipation and legal reform.

2. Bagul, Baburao. Jevha Mi Jaat Chorli Hoti (When I Hid My Caste). Translated by Jerry Pinto. Speaking Tiger, 2017.

   Seminal Marathi short stories exposing Dalit life and social alienation with raw emotional power.

3. Dangle, Arun, ed. Poisoned Bread: Translations from Modern Marathi Dalit Literature. Orient BlackSwan, 2009.

   An essential anthology showcasing voices of Marathi Dalit writers addressing social injustice and resistance.

   
   

Feminist Interventions

1. Arya, Charu & Deka, Nabanita, eds. Dalit Feminist Discourse: Voices in Dalit Writings. Routledge, 2025.

   New feminist interventions expanding Dalit literary and theoretical conversations.

2. Arya, Sunaina & Rathore, Aakash Singh, eds. Dalit Feminist Theory: A Reader. Routledge India, 2020.

   A comprehensive collection of Dalit feminist writings disrupting caste and gender hierarchies simultaneously.

3. Bama. Sangati. Translated by Lakshmi Holmström. Oxford University Press, 2011.

   A deeply personal narrative of Dalit womanhood challenging patriarchal and casteist oppression.

4. Kamble, Baby. The Prisons We Broke. Translated by Maya Pandit. Orient BlackSwan, 2008.

   A powerful account of caste and gender violence experienced from a Dalit woman’s perspective.

5. Pawar, Urmila. Aaydan (The Weave of My Life). Translated by Maya Pandit. Zubaan Books, 2011.

   Autobiographical reflections revealing intersections of caste and gender from a Dalit feminist lens.

6. Rege, Sharmila. Writing Caste/Writing Gender: Narrating Dalit Women’s Testimonios. Zubaan, 2006.

   Critical essays foregrounding Dalit women’s testimonies as central to caste and feminist discourse.

Autobiographical Testimonies

1. Dutt, Yashica. Coming Out as Dalit. Aleph, 2019.

   An intimate memoir revealing contemporary Dalit identity and invisibility in urban India.

2. Limbale, Sharankumar. The Outcaste: Akkarmashi. Translated by Santosh Bhoomkar. Oxford, 2007.

   A seminal work tracing the life of a Dalit caste and the politics of stigma and identity.

3. Pawde, Kumud. The Story of My Sanskrit. Translated by Sohini Ray. Speaking Tiger, 2020.

   An inspiring autobiography recounting a Dalit woman’s journey through language and education.

4. Pawar, Daya. Baluta. Translated by Jerry Pinto. Speaking Tiger, 2015.

   A confronting narrative of survival and resilience amid systemic marginalization.

5. Siddalingaiah. A Word With You, World. Translated by D. Raghunandan. Navayana, 2013.

   Poetic reflections and personal narratives from a pioneering Kannada Dalit writer and activist.

6. Valmiki, Om Prakash. Joothan: An Untouchable’s Life. Translated by Arjun Dangle. Columbia University Press, 2008.

   A pioneering Dalit autobiography exposing the brutal realities of caste discrimination.

Poetry and Aesthetics

1. Dhasal, Namdeo. A Current of Blood. Translated by Dilip Chitre. Navayana, 2011.

   Iconic protest poetry capturing the anger and suffering of Dalits with urgent lyricism.

2. Limbale, Sharan Kumar. Towards an Aesthetic of Dalit Literature. Orient Longman, 2004.

   A theoretical framework articulating distinct principles and philosophies of Dalit literary aesthetics.

3. Satyanarayana, K. & Tharu, Susie, eds. From Those Stubs, Steel Nibs Are Sprouting: New Dalit Writing From South India. HarperCollins India, 2013.

   A vital anthology foregrounding contemporary Dalit women’s writings from South India.

   
   

Contemporary Theoretical Engagements

1. Guru, Gopal. Humiliation: Claims and Context. Oxford University Press, 2011.

   Philosophical analysis of caste-based humiliation as a continuing social trauma.

2. Guru, Gopal & Sarukkai, Sundar. The Cracked Mirror: An Indian Debate on Experience and Theory. Oxford University Press, 2012.

   Theoretical dialogues challenging existing epistemologies through Dalit perspectives.

3. Rawat, Ramnarayan S. & Satyanarayana, K., eds. Dalit Studies. Duke University Press, 2016.

   Interdisciplinary approaches exploring Dalit history, culture, and politics in a global context.

4. Satyanarayana, K. & Tharu, Susie, eds. The Exercise of Freedom: An Introduction to Dalit Writing. Navayana, 2013.

   Foundational essays addressing the political and aesthetic dimensions of Dalit literature.

5. Teltumbde, Anand. Dalits: Past, Present and Future. Routledge, 2020.

   Critical reflections on Dalit social movements and contemporary caste dynamics.

6. Yengde, Suraj. Caste: A Global Story. Penguin, 2025.

   An expansive narrative linking caste with global structures of oppression and identity.

This is not an exhaustive list but a pathway into a vibrant and challenging field. Dalit literature is not just about representation but also about resistance—it demands that we rethink our categories of literature, aesthetics, and history.

For readers and researchers alike, the best way to start is to read with openness, humility, and a willingness to be unsettled.