Concealing Caste: Narratives of Passing and Personhood in Dalit Literature

Concealing Caste is a collection of Dalit writings that explore the ways in which individuals can elude the caste system in India, highlighting the contradictions of caste hierarchy through the experiences of those who transgress its boundaries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 05 July 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The caste system is often seen as an unchangeable reality, with individuals born into specific castes and expected to adhere to their assigned roles and status. However, the notion that one cannot escape their caste identity is a misconception. While it may be challenging to transcend the social and economic barriers associated with caste, there are individuals who have successfully challenged and subverted the system.

Concealing Caste is a collection of short stories and autobiographical essays that explore the experiences of individuals who are perceived as high caste despite being born into communities traditionally considered untouchable. These individuals have managed to conceal their caste identity, often through a process of racial passing, which involves pretending to be of a higher caste.

The stories and essays in Concealing Caste provide a powerful insight into the inner workings of a vicious social order that perpetuates caste hierarchy. They reveal the contradictions and complexities of a system that assigns individuals based on their birth and perpetuates inequality and discrimination. Through the experiences of these individuals, the anthology illustrates the agonizing choices and at times devastating consequences faced by Dalits who experiment with identity in a society that is deeply rooted in the principle of birth-based inequality.

The collection brings together Dalit literature from various languages and regions, including Marathi, Telugu, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, English, and Malayalam. This diversity showcases the rich and diverse experiences of Dalits across India and highlights the challenges they face in their daily lives. The stories and essays in Concealing Caste have never been translated before, making this anthology a significant contribution to the field of Dalit studies.

In conclusion, while the caste system is often seen as inescapable, there are individuals who have successfully challenged and subverted it. Concealing Caste provides a powerful exploration of these individuals' experiences and highlights the contradictions and complexities of a system that perpetuates inequality and discrimination. The collection's diverse range of Dalit literature and its never-before-translated stories make it a valuable resource for scholars and activists working to dismantle caste-based systems and promote social justice.

Weight: 10g
Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192865243