From marginalisation to rediscovery of identity: Dalit and Adivasi voices in Hindi literature

Social issues have been an important concern in modern Indian literature in general and Hindi literature in particular since its beginnings in the 19th century. In recent decades, Dalit and Adivasi literature – written by author coming from a low caste and tribal background – have emerged as important Hindi genres. Dalit and Adivasis form the economically most marginalised groups in India. Their short stories, poems and essays, as well as autobiographical texts, are regularly published in important Hindi literary journals. Some samples have begun to appear in the syllabuses of educational institutions, indicating an ongoing process of mainstreaming a new voice in Hindi. Hindi literature and language are becoming more inclusive and original, and feature challenging new voices. These developments are related to wider processes of social representation, discovery of identity and educational success. The notorious social discrimination and economic marginalisation of Adivasis and Dalits continues, but literature has become an important tool of expression for them, indicating a strengthened social identity.