The Voice of Protest in B. Rangrao’s Farewell

Authors

  • Hitesh H. Siju Research Scholar, KSKV Kachchh University, Bhuj-Kachchh
  • Dr. Milind Solanki Assistant Professor, KSKV Kachchh University, Bhuj-Kachchh

Keywords:

Dalit, Untouchability, Suffering, Pollution

Abstract

The present paper discusses how B. RangRao’s short story, “Farewell” offers a social commentary on the wretched condition of the Dalit lives in rural India, where despite grant of political rights to them, social change is yet to happen. The Dalits continue to be subjected to constant abuse by the powerful upper castes as exemplified by the village Chief in the story. The story captures a moment in India’s social history, where the author Rangarao depicts the stirring of Dalit consciousness in a remote Indian vil- lage, when the protagonist, Lakhan attempts to stand up for himself and resist his op- pressors, the upper caste villagers, in insisting that his father’s funeral procession should be allowed to pass through the village square. The study highlights the baneful and deeply entrenched caste-based prejudices and rigid social laws of the Indian soci- ety, breaching which leads to the ostracism and eventual deracination of a Dalit family.

Author Biographies

Hitesh H. Siju, Research Scholar, KSKV Kachchh University, Bhuj-Kachchh

Hitesh H. Siju is a research fellow in the Department of English, of KSKV Kachchh University, Bhuj-Kachchh. He is working on Contemporary Gujarati Dalit Short Stories translated into English.

Dr. Milind Solanki, Assistant Professor, KSKV Kachchh University, Bhuj-Kachchh

Dr. Milind Solanki is currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma Kachchh University, Bhuj-Kachchh. He teaches English Language and Literature and is actively engaged in student development activities at the University.

References

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Dumont, Louis. Homo hierarchicus: The Caste System and Its Implications. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Pdf, 1980.

Khandekar, Tarachand. “Literature of Revolt and Resurgence”. The first All India Dalit Writer’s Conference: A Commemorative Volume, Edited by Bojja Thakran, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Memorial Trust, Print. 1994.

Maitreya, Yogesh. Of Oppressor's Body & Mind. Panther's Paw Publication. Print. 2020.

Mondal, Puja. Dalits and the Origin of Untouchability in India: Origin of Untouchability, https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/sociology/dalits-and-the-origin-of- untouchability-in-india-origin-of-untouchability/32966.

Rangrao, B. “Farewell.” Desperate Men and Women Ten Dalit Short Stories from India, Kalpaz Publications, Print. 2013, pp. 27-36.

Teltumbde, Anand. Theorising The Dalit Movement: A Viewpoint, 2000, www.ambedkar.org/ research.htm.

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Published

01.01.2021

How to Cite

Hitesh H. Siju, & Milind Solanki. (2021). The Voice of Protest in B. Rangrao’s Farewell. Journal of Teaching and Research in English Literature, 12(1), 3–9. Retrieved from https://journals.eltai.in/index.php/jtrel/article/view/JTREL120102

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2021): January

Section

Research Articles

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