Echoes of the Earth: Folk Customs and Cultural Sustainability in Bama'sKarukku

Abstract This paper attempts to show the relationship between original folk customs, oral traditions, and cultural sustainability as described in Bama's autobiographical novel, Karukku. Bama’s use of "Echoes of the earth" that is the traditional practices and stories of her Dalit Christian community, is a powerful means to preserve culture and identity. The study's theoretical framework is drawn from postcolonial theory, subaltern studies, Dalit feminist criticism, and cultural studies. Bama made use of Karukku ritual details, proverbs, folk songs, and the local language. She defies established literary conventions in an effort to preserve collective memories and to combat oppression based on gender and caste. This essay aims to illustrate how Bama's autobiographical novel Karukku describes the connection between oral traditions, original folk customs, and cultural sustainability. A powerful tool for preserving culture and identity is Bama's use of "Echoes of the earth," which are the customs and tales of her Dalit Christian community. The theoretical framework of the study is derived from cultural studies, Dalit feminist criticism, postcolonial theory, and subaltern studies. Bama used the local language, proverbs, folk songs, and specifics of Karukku rituals. In an attempt to combat caste and gender-based oppression and preserve collective memories, she defies accepted literary conventions.