Paradigms of Marginality: A Critical Assessment

Any survey of recent Indian literature does clearly reveal that the voice of the voiceless or protest, in some form or other, is the oft-repeated and even the most notable theme analysed, evaluated and projected by writers of all genres with an avowed social purpose so as to offer a sweeping revolt by all means against economic exploitation, subjugation of women, oppression of the unprivileged and suppression of the untouchables and the marginalized. Marginalization is nothing but a kind of social exclusion, a social boycott, disadvantage and downgrading to the fringe of a caste, community or group of a society. English language, with its global base, has served as a useful tool of Dalit empowerment. It is a window through which readers are able to acquaint themselves with the writings of Dalits or on the Dalits. Present volume includes thirty insightful papers on the subject of marginality and subalternity by eminent teachers/scholar-critics and scholars. This book will, no doubt, serve the purpose of awakening the consciousness of the poor, downtrodden and the marginalized for forging their identities, thereby ensuring a society that values the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity. The kernel of this book comprises a critique of the marginalization thereby propagating the idea that Dalit writing or writing on marginality and subalternity is a social engagement. This volume is no doubt an endeavour to bring before its readers the vast areas that Dalit, subaltern and marginal literatures have travelled a lot in their journey since beginning.

About the Author :
Dr S. Chelliah is Dean of Arts, Humanities and Languages and Professor and Head of Department of English and Comparative Literature, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. He has produced 20 PhD scholars, more than 209 MPhil scholars and 165 MA projects. He is the editor of two international multidisciplinary journals and published 6 books and 272 papers at various national and international journals. He has served as the Dean for Curriculum Development of Madurai Kamaraj University, Director for Board of Studies Section, Director for Spoken English Institute of Madurai Kamaraj University, Coordinator for CBCS Wing, Liaison officer for SC/ST Cell of Madurai Kamaraj University and Member of Board of Studies of both UG/PG of Pondicherry University, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Bharathidhasan University, Trichy, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore and Gandhigrahm University. He has been awarded the Best Research Publisher Award (Highest Profile) by Arunai International Research Foundation and DLitt for excellent contribution in English Literature and Language by International Economics University (SAARC Countries) in May 2018. Dr Bijender Singh (MA, MPhil, PhD, UGC-NET, U-SET, M-SET, HP-SET, H-TET) is an English lecturer, editor, and writer from Haryana. He has earned his first PhD from USA on Shashi Deshpande and he has submitted his second PhD thesis on V.S. Naipaul in 2018. He has also done Sanskrit Honours (Shastri), Art and Crafts Teacher Course, and Multi-Purpose Health Worker (Male) Course. He has been the proud recipient of the Ambedkar Sahitya Ratna Award, Editorial Excellence Award, and Dr B.R. Ambedkar National Award. He is the Editor-in-Chief of The Expression: An International Multidisciplinary e-Journal. He writes in English, Hindi, and Haryanvi. He has written a few essays, some short-stories, and many Hindi lyrics, ghazals, nazms, and English poems. He has published many articles in peer-reviewed national and international journals, seminar and conference proceedings, and edited anthologies. Many research papers/articles have been written and published on his poetry books. He has written/published around two dozen books. Few of his books are available at the Princeton University Library, USA and the Library of Congress, Washington DC, USA.