Voicing Dalits: The Poetry of Namdeo Dhasal

This paper interprets the contested term ‘Dalit Literature’ first and then attempts to treat dalit issues in the poetry of Namdeo Dhasal. Dhasal, who is a great maverick Marathi poet, writes with a mission—mission to wage a war against all forms of exploitation whether it is economic, social or cultural. He chooses female as the mascot for representing the downgraded and the stigmatized among humankind. Being dissatisfied with the present set-up, the poet in Dhasal wishes to demolish it. He raises his voice against sacred books that have divided mankind on the basis of religion. When the poet in Dhasal thinks of destruction and construction, he shakes hands with Marxism and Communism. While voicing for dalits, he keeps the vision of Ambedkar in his mind. He is a poet of the underworld in true sense because his poetry offers an action plan that will unite all the dalits beyond order and border. Despite its caustic tone, it is effective in appeal because of its mission—mission of opposing all forms of exploitation.