RE-INTERROGATING CASTE INTO MEENA KANDASAMY'S LITERARY ACTIVISM

Abstract

Meena Kandasamy's writing serves as a powerful testament to the lived realities of caste-based discrimination in contemporary India. This paper argues that Kandasamy's work transcends mere representation, actively re-interrogating the very structures and narratives that perpetuate caste. Through a close reading of her poetry, novels, and essays, this analysis explores how she dismantles dominant narratives, reclaims marginalized voices, and constructs a counter-narrative centering the experiences of Dalit women. This study delves into her strategic use of language, form, and personal testimony to expose the insidious nature of caste, its intersectionality with gender, and the urgent need for social transformation.