I Belong to Nowhere: Poems of Hope and Resistance

Kalyani Charal's first English-language collection of poems is a powerful act of resistance against paternalistic and patriarchal bourgeois socialists. She draws parallels between caste oppression in Bengal and social and racial marginalization around the world, showcasing the universality of precarity, marginality, and dispossession. Charal's poetry also explores themes of love and the natural world, asserting that all Dalit woman writers are eco feminists. Her sharp writing has shaken the system and earned her recognition as a prominent Dalit feminist voice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 27 July 2023
Publisher: Tilted Axis Press

Kalyani Thakur Charal is a renowned Indian writer known for her powerful and thought-provoking poetry. Her first English-language collection, "The Other Side of Silence," showcases her talent as a writer who uses her words as a tool for resistance. Through her militant, satirical, and biting style, Charal takes aim at paternalistic and patriarchal bourgeois socialists who speak on behalf of others.

In her poetry, Charal delves into the experiences of Dalits, a marginalized community in India. She highlights the bourgeois values that perpetuate caste oppression and draws parallels with social and racial marginalization across the world. The specificity of Dalit lives in Bengal, a region known for its Leftist history and enlightened culture, is intertwined with the universality of precarity, marginality, and dispossession.

Charal's poetry explores the complexities of love, both wistful and full-throated. She pays attention to the natural world, emphasizing the interconnectedness of birds and people of color. Through her work, she asserts that all Dalit woman writers are eco feminists, highlighting the importance of environmental justice and the interconnectedness of all forms of oppression.

Kalyani Thakur Charal's sharp writing on Dalit feminism has repeatedly shaken the system and challenged the status quo. Her poetry is a testament to the power of words to inspire change and promote social justice. Her work continues to resonate with readers worldwide, inspiring a new generation of activists and artists to fight for equality and justice.

Weight: 112g
Dimension: 197 x 129 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911284765