LAXMAN GAIKWAD’S UCHALYA: A STUDY OF DENOTIFIED TRIBE

Abstract

Dalit Literature, the literature about the oppressed classes under the Indian castes
system is creative and intellectual literary expression. It transformed the social realities into
various literary genres. Due to its relation with the socially and economically exploited people in
all over the country from hundreds of years, this Literature has been called a social and human
document. The word Dalit refers to the people who are traditionally regarded as untouchable.
Consisting of many social groups from all over South Asia, the Dalits are mixed population; that
includes a variety of language and practice a multitude of religion. These people are also known
as Panchamas (“fifth varna”) and Asprushya (“untouchable”). These were defined as
“Chandal” or “Avarna” (according to the Vedas), “Untouchable” or “Harijans”, (used by
Mahatma Gandhi) and “Exterior Castes” used by J.H. Hutton (a famous historian).