Dalit Literature: Prajakala దళిత సాహిత్యం: ప్రజాకళ - ప్రజాస్వామిక సాహిత్య పత్రిక
Sajeegopal
Dear friends,
We are glad to pronounce the launching of ‘Prajakala’ January 07
issue focusing on "Dalit literature". The literature that intends to
give voice to the voiceless Dalits and liberate them from social
oppression and economic exploitation may be broadly considered as
"Dalit Literature".
" The religious and imaginative literature in Sanskrit was committed to
the religious and the ruling establishments. It has flourished in great
quantity, praising the kings and the emperors of the upper Varnas and
eulogizing the gods."
- Baburao Bagul
Hence Dalit literature opened a new frontier to the real life stories
of dalits, oppressed both socially and economically. It portrayed
misery, agony and centuries of social oppression and economic
exploitation. Anew trend started with soul stories ( atmakatha) and
autobiographies and rebellious poetry in Dalit literature of Marathi,
Kanada and Telugu. These soul stories can't be considered as personal
stories of the Dalits writers alone - perhaps they have to be broadly
understood as a social phenomena.
In this issue of Prajakala we have Gabbilam written by Gurram Joshua
– the pioneer of Dalit poetry in Telugu, featured in the front
page. In Poetry section we carried "B.P" by late Madoori Nageshbabu,
“Nallathalli” by Endloori Sudhakar , “Chavudappu” by VaraVara
Rao, “Nallakaluva” by Kathi Padmarao, and “Kalavani kanupapalu”
by Satish chander. Since Dalit Poetry is well complimented by songs we
carried some prominent songs that reflected the Dalit life. Please
read "ee kulamabbi?" a song from the heart of Cherabandaraju , "yalaro
madiga bathuku" by People's singer Gaddar and “Nallati Suryudoo”
by Sivasagar in the songs category.
In essays, “doodekula kavitvam” by Khaza, “vempanta dalit
saahitya srjana” by pedda raamaswaami , “daaruna anubhavaala
samputaalu” by N. Venugopal and the regular featured essay
“Daivachinthana by Kodavatiganti Rohiniprasad. We are carrying the
tragically the last interview of prominent dalit poet late Madoori
Nageshbabu interviewed by Khaza . A story Thataki by well know writer
Gogu Shyamala is also featured in this Issue.
We hope that this issue of Prajakala provides a forum for the Dalit
Literature in Telugu that deluged in the late 80’s and 90s.
Wishing you a happy new year,
Regards
Chaitanya, Himabindu and Sajeegopal
Prajakala Editorial Board