Sangati: A narrative of Dalit Feminist resistance

Abstract

This paper explores Sangati (1994), a groundbreaking work by Tamil Dalit writer Bama, as a significant narrative of Dalit feminist resistance. Emerging from the tradition of Dalit literature, Sangati challenges dominant caste and gender hierarchies through its
innovative narrative structure and political urgency. Departing from linear storytelling, Bama constructs the novel as a series of episodic anecdotes, reflecting the fragmented realities of Dalit women’s lives. Central to the text are themes of systemic oppression including caste discrimination, gender-based violence, and economic exploitation. Bama’s use of colloquial Tamil preserves the authenticity of Dalit voices and acts as a political assertion of cultural identity. The evolving consciousness of the narrator illustrates the formation of a critical Dalit feminist perspective, marking a shift from passive endurance to active resistance. Sangati highlights the intersectionality of caste and gender oppression, arguing that Dalit women experience a unique form of marginalization often overlooked by mainstream feminism and Dalit male discourse. Moreover, Bama critiques the failure of religious and educational institutions to dismantle caste structures, emphasizing the necessity of self-reliance and collective solidarity among Dalit women. The paper argues that Sangati functions not merely as a record of suffering but as a dynamic text of empowerment, documenting both everyday injustices and acts of resilience. In doing so, Bama redefines notions of agency, identity, and resistance within the framework of Dalit feminism. As a literary and political intervention, Sangati remains profoundly relevant to contemporary discourses on intersectionality, social justice, and the politics of representation.