47. Structural Significance of Bama's Sangati

Literature is a dynamic arena that evolves continuously, reflecting the writer’s mode of expression. The essence of a literary genre cannot be confined to mere imagination or generalized themes, as every work bears the author’s personal reflections. Fiction, in particular, serves as a platform for portraying diverse perspectives and social realities. When a work addresses social themes, it must balance personal experience with collective context, thereby representing reality with authenticity and permanence. Bama’s Sangati stands as a remarkable example of such representation. Since its publication, the text has continued to evoke multiple interpretations and critical readings. This paper explores the multifaceted perspectives in Sangati, examining how it questions social practices from the outset and gradually offers constructive resolutions. The study employs a questionnaire-based analytical approach to highlight how Sangati functions as a multipurpose work—depicting social structures, advocating for women’s rights, and serving as a popular literary text. Furthermore, the paper discusses the unchanging socio-cultural conditions that Bama portrays and the limited transformation experienced by marginalized communities despite ongoing discourse. Bama asserts that true change is possible only through genuine education, which can alter the lived realities of the oppressed. Hence, Sangati not only documents the struggles of Dalit women but also becomes an instrument of awareness and empowerment.