My Pen, My Words

Abstract

[This poem is dedicated to respected Om Prakash Valmiki, who wrote the first Dalit autobiography in Hindi published in 1997, “Joothan” (Leftovers). The poem was originally written in 2009 and recited in a program chaired by Mr. Valmiki. It was revised in 2012 to mention Murdahiya, another Dalit autobiography by Professor Tulsi Ram].

Keywords

• anti-caste poetry
• Joothan
• Om Prakash Valmiki
• Dalit literature