Construction of Alternate Mythology and History In G.Kalyan Rao’s Untouchable Spring
Swasti Sharma
Introduction
The caste system finds its origin in functional groupings, called varnas, which have their origins in the Aryan society of ancient northern India. In their creation myth, four varnas are said to have emanated from the Primeval Being. The Creator’s mouth became the Brahman priests, his two arms formed the Rajanya warriors and kings, his two thighs formed the Vaishya landowners and merchants, and from his feet were born the Shudra artisans and servants. The Laws of Manu (Manusmitri), which date roughly to the 3rd century A.D.—and parts of which form the Sanskrit syllabus of graduation studies in Gujarat even today—preach the sanctity of the varnas and uphold the principles of gradation and rank. They refer to the impurity and servility of the outcastes, while affirming the dominance and total impunity of Brahmins. This paper will look at G. Kalyana Rao’s …show more content…
Dalits, as he pointed out, are born artists “Art was in their veins , in their blood ,in the depths of their hearts, in their very sweat”. He narrates the predicament of Dalit in a society where caste decides the destiny of man over his knowledge and natural gifts he possess right from his birth. Through literary works, Dalit writers are trying to preserve the self-respect, identity and heritage of their community.
As memory text and historiographical document, Untouchable Spring depicts the‖social and cultural life of generations of Dalits. The author has undertaken ―a wonderful journey‖ into the hearts of Dalits who have discovered their humanity, identity and self-respect through defiance. The text is an attempt to expose the intolerable treatment meted out by the Brahmanical upper castes to the downtrodden. It is a living testimony of Dalit
Swasti Sharma
Introduction
The caste system finds its origin in functional groupings, called varnas, which have their origins in the Aryan society of ancient northern India. In their creation myth, four varnas are said to have emanated from the Primeval Being. The Creator’s mouth became the Brahman priests, his two arms formed the Rajanya warriors and kings, his two thighs formed the Vaishya landowners and merchants, and from his feet were born the Shudra artisans and servants. The Laws of Manu (Manusmitri), which date roughly to the 3rd century A.D.—and parts of which form the Sanskrit syllabus of graduation studies in Gujarat even today—preach the sanctity of the varnas and uphold the principles of gradation and rank. They refer to the impurity and servility of the outcastes, while affirming the dominance and total impunity of Brahmins. This paper will look at G. Kalyana Rao’s …show more content…
Dalits, as he pointed out, are born artists “Art was in their veins , in their blood ,in the depths of their hearts, in their very sweat”. He narrates the predicament of Dalit in a society where caste decides the destiny of man over his knowledge and natural gifts he possess right from his birth. Through literary works, Dalit writers are trying to preserve the self-respect, identity and heritage of their community.
As memory text and historiographical document, Untouchable Spring depicts the‖social and cultural life of generations of Dalits. The author has undertaken ―a wonderful journey‖ into the hearts of Dalits who have discovered their humanity, identity and self-respect through defiance. The text is an attempt to expose the intolerable treatment meted out by the Brahmanical upper castes to the downtrodden. It is a living testimony of Dalit