Dalit and Bandaya literature made the Kannada tradition more holistic: Mudanakudu Chinnaswamy

The Kannada literary world, which was one-sided until the 70s and 80s, became more inclusive with Dalit and Bandhaya literature, said Central Sahitya Akademi award-winning author Mudanakudu Chinnaswamy.

Speaking about Dalit literature at the 87th Akhila Bharat Kannada Sahitya Sammelan in Mandaya, he said: “Former minister B. Basavalingappa called Kannada literature ‘Busa’ (cow fodder) which led to a serious rethinking of the basis of literature and its emergence. Dalit and Bandhaya literature in Karnataka.

Basavalingappa called Kannada literature ‘Busa’ because there were no literary works in Kannada literature till then about the sufferings of Dalit communities. “Then the Dalit movement and Dalit literature came together,” she said.

Speaking on the topic ‘Dalit Literary Movement and Women’, Jayadevi Gaekwad said, “Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (DSS) in Karnataka is like a university. Apart from Dalit issues, DSS has fought many burning issues of the state including farmers, workers. They have also been fighting against oppression and injustice against women, She said.

She recently condemned the Union Home Minister’s derogatory comments about BR Ambedkar in Parliament and said, “At a time like this, we women should remember Ambedkar’s contribution and we should stand by him.”