Double-Edged Truths: Subaltern Resistance, Dalit Identity, and Gender Politics in Bama’s Karukku

Abstract

Bama's Karukku is a landmark Tamil Dalit feminist autobiography that powerfully articulates the lived realities of caste, gender, and religious oppression. This paper critically analyzes Karukku as a testimonial narrative, revealing how it functions as a counter-discourse to hegemonic historiography and mainstream religious morality. Bama's use of language, symbolism, and personal experiences as a Dalit Christian woman provides a unique entry point into understanding subaltern consciousness. Through thematic analysis and literary critique, this study underscores how Karukku challenges structural inequities and fosters collective empowerment by turning personal trauma into resistance.

Keywords: Caste, Gender, Dalits, Subaltarn, Religious oppression, Inequalities, Feminism, intersectionality,