Meera Pillai
Independent Researcher
Kerala, India
Abstract
This manuscript offers an in-depth exploration of how inter-caste relations are depicted in Marathi literature from India’s independence in 1947 through 2020. It interrogates the evolving narrative strategies employed by authors to represent social hierarchies, power asymmetries, and moments of solidarity between caste groups. By conducting a systematic qualitative content analysis of twenty landmark texts—including novels, short stories, and plays—this research identifies three salient thematic trajectories: the portrayal of cross-caste friendships grounded in shared labor and rural life; the dramatization of conflict, resistance, and the assertion of Dalit agency amid urbanization; and the emergence of reconciliatory, dialogic paradigms that envision egalitarian futures. To triangulate textual findings, semi-structured interviews were held with three leading Marathi literary scholars, yielding insights into the socio-historical catalysts—such as land reform movements, the Dalit Panther agitation, and the digital democratization of publishing—that shaped authorial choices. The results reveal a clear shift from upper-caste benevolence and symbolic representation of Dalits toward multi-voiced narratives that center marginalized perspectives and advocate intersectional solidarity. The conclusion underscores the dual role of literature as both a mirror reflecting social realities and an agent provocateur driving social transformation. This study contributes to Marathi literary criticism, caste studies, and postcolonial discourse by mapping the seven-decade trajectory of inter-caste representation and by proposing directions for future research in digital media and translation studies.
Keywords
Portrayal of Inter-Caste Relations, Post-Independence, Marathi Literature, Caste Dynamics, Social Identity
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