Karukku and the Voice of Dalit Feminism in Indian English

Abstract
Karukku, authored by Bama Faustina Soosairaj and later translated into English, is widely regarded as a landmark text in Dalit and feminist writing. The work foregrounds the lived realities of Dalit women and exposes the intersection of caste, gender, and religion in Indian society. Often studied alongside the novels of Manju Kapur, Bama’s autobiographical narrative challenges dominant literary
traditions by articulating voices historically marginalized in mainstream Indian English literature. While Kapur’s iction explores the dilemmas faced by middle-class women negotiating patriarchal structures, Bama’s narrative presents the struggles of Dalit women confronting systemic caste discrimination and institutional hypocrisy. This article examines the narrative style, thematic concerns, and socio-political significance of Karukku, situating it
within the broader context of Dalit literature and postcolonial feminist discourse. Through a comparative perspective with Kapur’s novels such as Difficult Daughters and Home, the study highlights how these texts expand the scope of feminist discourse in India and contribute to contemporary debates on identity, power, and resistance.
Keywords: Karukku, Dalit feminism, Bama Faustina, Manju Kapur, caste oppression, Indian English literature, autobiography, postcolonial feminism.