IDENTITY FORMATION IN ‘KARUKKU’ BY BAMA: EXPLORING THE TENSIONS BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE IDENTITY

This research explores how identity is shaped and negotiated in Bama’s Karukku, focusing on the tensions between personal and communal identity in the experience of Dalit individuals. The study centers around the question: How does Karukku express the conflicts and compromises between individual and collective identity within the Dalit experience? The goal is to understand how Karukku portrays personal struggles within a rigid caste-based system and how these struggles reflect the broader identities and experiences of the Dalit community. This study also aims to shed light on how societal oppression impacts one’s personal sense of self and the drive for belonging within a marginalized community. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study integrates textual analysis with postcolonial and identity theories to examine the narrative. It analyzes Bama’s storytelling techniques, language, and thematic focus to reveal the dynamics between personal struggles and the collective resilience of the Dalit community. The research highlights how Karukku portrays identity as a fluid negotiation influenced by both personal aspirations and societal constraints. Bama’s narrative demonstrates the intersection of individual and communal identities, emphasizing the resilience and strength of Dalit solidarity in the face of systemic marginalization. Her personal journey is emblematic of a broader struggle for justice and dignity. This study adds to Dalit literature by providing a thoughtful exploration of Karukku, highlighting it as both a deeply personal autobiography and a powerful voice for the Dalit community. It emphasizes how literature can bring attention to marginalized voices and shows how exploring identity becomes a way to resist and challenge caste-based oppression.