Volume V Special Issue III August 2025

Name of Author : Ms. S. Sankari

Title of the paper : Dalit Autobiographies: Traumatic Memory Studies

Abstract: Saint Augustine was the first one to start with confessional writings around 400 CE though the word autobiography was coined much later in 1797. Autobiographies are based on the authors memory and their personal interpretation of the events that happened around them. Though autobiographies were a popular genre in the 21st century, the voice of the Dalits wassuppressed for a very long time. Bama was the first one to register her voice thorough her autobiographical work Karukku. The work was translated into English by Lakshmi Holmstrom. It talks about the traumatic experiences she underwent as a Dalit Christian. This book received the Crossword Book Awards in 2000. Another voice that came from north India that depicted the suffering of the Dalit was Sharankumar Limbale. Through his work The Outcaste Akkarmashi, the author brings out how even education failed to put an end to the trauma that he faced in his life.

Keywords : Trauma, Memory studies, autobiographies, Dalit suppression.

DOI :

Page Number : 156-161