Empowering Women is to empower the Society: Through the writings of Bama

Abstract

The work of Bama is an encouragement to various sections of people especially the suppressed.  This article attempts to focus on the writer Bama and her contribution to the deprived section especially women. It narrates the hardships that came across her way that contributed to her autobiography Karukku. Special mention may be made with this study as it is the first Subaltern autobiography contributed by a woman.  Caste based discrimination and its impacts are highlighted. Bama notes ‘her encouragement and inspiration are from the Dalit women of her own village’. To the youngsters her words are ‘Instead of breaking ourselves we have to break through the difficulties’ which is the inspiration to many subaltern women as well.