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Folklore and Folkloristics, Vol. 2; No. 1, June 2009
Article-2
The Denotified Tribes in Laxman Gaikwad’s ‘Uchalaya’
- Dr Elizabeth Susan Paul
Abstract
This paper attempts to create awareness about the Denotified Tribes (DNT) of Maharashtra through a study of the English translation of the Marathi autobiographical novel Uchalya
(The Branded) written by Laxman Gaikwad. The novel being an autobiography, recounts the trauma and suffering not only of an individual but of the whole community of the Uchalyas, branded as ‘Criminal Tribes’. As Dalit autobiography, the novel is a revolt against the social inequality of people who literally live on the fringes of society. The paper tries to depict the socio-eco-cultural life of this tribe and calls for their recognition as human beings and not as thieves. Full Version of Paper
‘The social category generally known as the Denotified and Nomadic Tribes of India covers a population of approximately six crores. Some of them are included in the list of Scheduled
Castes, some others in the Schedule of Tribes, and quite a few in the category Other
Backward Classes. But there are many of theses tribes, which find place in none of the above.
What is common to all these Denotified and Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) is the fate of being branded as ‘born’ criminals.’ (G.N.Devy, 2006:21)
In pre-colonial times, nomadic communities sustained themselves through a number of livelihood options including cattle-rearing, itinerant trade, and crafts. Carrying items for barter – spices, salt, honey, herbs, trinkets crafted out of silver, earthenware, mats, etc. - on the backs of their cattle, they traded with whoever they came across on their travels.
Colonial rule had a disastrous effect on India’s nomadic communities. Their trading activities were badly affected by the introduction of the railways and expansion of both the road and rail network by the British, in the 1850s. In the 1860s, the British began taking control of
Article-2
The Denotified Tribes in Laxman Gaikwad’s ‘Uchalaya’
- Dr Elizabeth Susan Paul
Abstract
This paper attempts to create awareness about the Denotified Tribes (DNT) of Maharashtra through a study of the English translation of the Marathi autobiographical novel Uchalya
(The Branded) written by Laxman Gaikwad. The novel being an autobiography, recounts the trauma and suffering not only of an individual but of the whole community of the Uchalyas, branded as ‘Criminal Tribes’. As Dalit autobiography, the novel is a revolt against the social inequality of people who literally live on the fringes of society. The paper tries to depict the socio-eco-cultural life of this tribe and calls for their recognition as human beings and not as thieves. Full Version of Paper
‘The social category generally known as the Denotified and Nomadic Tribes of India covers a population of approximately six crores. Some of them are included in the list of Scheduled
Castes, some others in the Schedule of Tribes, and quite a few in the category Other
Backward Classes. But there are many of theses tribes, which find place in none of the above.
What is common to all these Denotified and Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) is the fate of being branded as ‘born’ criminals.’ (G.N.Devy, 2006:21)
In pre-colonial times, nomadic communities sustained themselves through a number of livelihood options including cattle-rearing, itinerant trade, and crafts. Carrying items for barter – spices, salt, honey, herbs, trinkets crafted out of silver, earthenware, mats, etc. - on the backs of their cattle, they traded with whoever they came across on their travels.
Colonial rule had a disastrous effect on India’s nomadic communities. Their trading activities were badly affected by the introduction of the railways and expansion of both the road and rail network by the British, in the 1850s. In the 1860s, the British began taking control of
Cited: 3. Mahashweta Devi. 2001. Imaginary Maps. Calcutta: Thema. 4. G.N. Devy. 2006. A Nomad Called Thief. New Delhi: Orient Longman.