Karukku by bama

Brief Summary of Karukku by Bama

1. welcome

2. K arukku - bama

3. B ama Also Known as Bama Faustina Soosairaj – Tamil Dalit Feminist. Born in 1958 as Faustina Mary Fatima Rani – in Puthupatti , Madras State. Educated in her own village. Influenced by Tamil Writers – Jayakantan , Akhilan , Mani and Parthasarathy . After graduation became schoolteacher – served as nun for seven years. Oppression of Dalit children and teachers by the nuns made her to write.

4. K arukku Autobiographical Novel, written in Tamil – published in 1992. Translated into English by Lakshmi Holmstorm . Consists nine chapters and a preface. In preface Bama compares karukku to her life. Won the Crossword Award for Fiction in 2001.

5. S ummary C hapter - I Describes village – no development – many caste and communities live. Criticises how the places are named – upper class enjoys all luxuries… Tells about a person called Bondan – lives by his wits – stealing from the landlords. Indicates a temple built in remembrance of Nallathanga and her seven children who committed suicide because of her sister in law. C hapter – II Bama indicates her realisation of caste discrimination by seeing an elder brother carrying vadai for Naicker without touching it – thinks how her grandparents suffered under them. Even school and church sided the upper class. College distinguished them – staff asked to stand to register for special tuition. After completing B.Ed worked in a school – then decided to become nun to serve dalit children. C hapter – III Clash between Parayars and Chaaliyar community for a cemetery when she was 11 years old. Chaaliyar community school was there – they need to convert cemetery to playground. Clashes between Pallars and Parayars – made upper class to laugh.

6. C hapter – IV Discuss labour for the low caste people – Naickers land owners and others labourers. Recollects her grandmother and mother working hard. Remembers harvesting groundnut corps for just Rs.5 per day. C hapter – V Recollects childhood games – playing, making dolls, acting… Tells about the festivals – New Year gifts presented to the priest and Mother Superior. Men prefer to watch movies. C hapter – VI Tell about father in army – had great diet when he comes. Parents have no idea to send her to college – nun taught her 11 standard made her to go college. She proved herself – thought have to become teacher – educate Dalits – thought decent education will give a life of moderate comfort for them. Moved to convent found the reality – even church is not for them.

7. C hapter – Vii Bama tells her Bhakthi and belief in God. Pleased when priest touched her and lifted her up. Nun told list of sin will be there – lost respect towards sister as she becomes brutal. Remembers Chinnamalai church – Friday prayers – festival during the month of May. Losted her fear and started to love God – Identified the fake behaviour of church. C hapter – VIII Tells experience in the holy order and the convent she became a nun. Bama was forced to serve the rich not the poor as she wished. Served three years in the first place then transferred five times in a month. C hapter – IX Not even got job in a school as it was run by Nadar Community. Catholic schools too not admitted Dalits as they think they will loose standard. Bama concludes that even if she is like a bird with broken wings, she is optimistic about the future.

8. Thank you