Choma’s Drum, a Perennial Dystopian Narrative of the Marginalized

Abstract

The present research aims to relate the predicament of Dalit as a dystopian narrative. Chomana Dudi (Choma’s Drum), by Kota Shivarama Karanth, a Kannada writer, gives insight into the marginalized life of Dalit in the early 20th century. A 21st century rereading and analysis of the novel, astonishingly reveals the unrelenting plight of the Dalit situation in the present times. Dalit is still marginalized and quite unfortunately, the society seldom tried to accommodate them into the mainstream and continue to mock at their status; in fact, the monumental holy books destined the marginalization. Over the time he was doomed to all sorts of struggles, which he accepted as his wretched lineage. Amidst a vast population and variant demands to meet and fulfil, the Dalit voice is ignored by a larger section. The ego of the upper castes is intact disturbing the distribution of granted benefits to the oppressed. As long as the society fails to accept Dalit as an equally important fellow being holding every right to enjoy all the utopian benefits granted by the nation, he will be looked down upon by himself, resulting in his continuing deprivation from self-esteem. Centuries of oppression enslaved the Dalit in a dystopian ambience from where even an escape is disregarded and is attributed to further degradation. Dalit identity remains haunting in all settings and scenes. Dalit Voice has to be strengthened enough to shake those who turn a deaf ear to many atrocities. The humble Dalit demand is for equality, liberty and dignity; the right of every citizen. The backwardness of Dalit will continue till it remains a task of the Dalit alone; and the social, political and economic uplift of him in the society needs a compromise of support and cooperation from the majority sections of the society. The agonized cries from Choma’s Drum still reverberate amidst us expressing the desperate feelings of Dalit in his segregation, exploitation, discrimination and oppression.