Testimonies of the Oppressed: Memory, Trauma, and Resistance in Omprakash Valmiki's Joothan

Abstract

This paper explores the intertwined themes of memory, trauma, and healing within Indian literary narratives, with a particular focus on Omprakash Valmiki's Joothan, a seminal work of Dalit literature in Hindi and later translated into English. Joothan recounts Valmiki's memory that is experience of caste-based discrimination, offering a poignant reflection on the collective trauma endured by Dalits in India. This paper examines how the autobiographical novel captures both personal and community memories of caste oppression, shedding light on the profound emotional and psychological scars these experiences leave behind. It also addresses the narrative's exploration of trauma, both at individual level and at communality level, and the slow process of healing through writing and resistance. By placing Joothan in context with theories of trauma and memory, this paper highlights how Valmiki uses literature as a medium of healing, offering a voice to the silenced and paving a path toward social justice. The paper will also draw connections between Valmiki's narrative and broader Dalit literary traditions that engage with themes of trauma and resilience, exploring the cultural and socio-political contexts that shape these narratives. Through this analysis, the paper aims to demonstrate the crucial role of memory and storytelling in both documenting trauma and fostering healing within marginalized Dalit communities in India.