Sangati

This translation of the Tamil novel Sangati, is a fine example of Dalit writing, and flouts any received notions of what a novel should be. It has no plot in the normal sense, nor any main characters. In terms of structure, it seeks to create a Dalit-feminist perspective and explores the impact of a number of discriminations - compounded above all, by poverty - suffered by Dalit women. There is one set of stories in the book, of women who have worked hard all their lives, from the moment they are able to help with the care of younger siblings, or with chores about the house, or outside. Economic precariousness leads to a culture of violence of women by fathers, husbands, and brothers. Women fight back. Set against these are other stories, which tell of rites of passage, a coming of age ceremony, a betrothal, a group wedding, also of possession and exorcism. Sangati is a book about a community's identity, and ends on a personal note: that Paraiya women are always the most vulnerable, even when educated, independent, and living alone, like Bama herself.