Dalit literature, initially written in Marathi and now available in various regional languages, plays a significant role in enriching the Marathi language by introducing new words, phrases, and idioms. It encompasses diverse genres, primarily focusing on autobiographies that highlight the cultural and social experiences of different castes, sub-castes, and communities. Critics emphasize the need for a comprehensive dictionary of Dalit words to address the language complexities encountered by readers from different cultural backgrounds.

2. •Dalit Literature is now recognized & read all over
world.
•First written in Marathi & later in other regional
languages
•Being translated widely in India and abroad.
•All genres- short stories, novels, plays &
autobiographies , criticism
•Writers belong to different castes and sub-castes
•Scope of the presentation being restricted to selected
examples, especially from Dalit autobiographies in
Marathi

3.  Dalit Speech Community classified as-
 Savarna Speech Community living in the village
 Speech Community living outside the village &
considered Untouchable
 Nomadic Tribes
 Adivasis living in hills & valleys & in jungles
 Dalit category includes ‘Mahars’, ‘Mang’,
‘Chambhar’, ‘Dhor’ as Untouchable & ‘Berad’,
‘Banjara’, ‘Bhamta’ ‘Kaikadi’, ‘Kanjarbhat’,
‘Wadar’, ‘Beldar’, ‘Ghisadi’, ‘Gopal’, ‘Kadmade
Joshi’, ‘Gondhali’, ‘Kolhati’, ‘Vaidu’ etc. nomadic
tribes & ‘Mavachi’, ‘Pardhan’ as Adivasi speech

4.  Language used as a means of communication
 Acquired from the family and surroundings
 Boli Bhasha
 Intercation with others also affects it- Savarna
& others
 Geographical location-Eg. Akkarmashi-
Maharashtra-Karnatak border
 Changes with education and development-
Praman Bhasha

5.  Eminent Critics have applauded its
contribution to Marathi language
 Introduced many new words, phrases, idioms
& proverbs
 The language of Dalit autobiographies is
regional. The autobiographies reveal many
strains of colloquial languages in Maharashtra
and along with colliquiality, means of
subsistence, village system, customs and
economic system are also reflected ( Jyoti
Lanjewar)

6.  “In reality Dalit autobiographies have enriched
the vocabulary of Marathi language and also it
has enhanced the grandeur of different colloquial
languages.” (Phadke Bhalchandra)
 Arjun Dangle has felt the need of a new
dictionary of Dalit words. (Dangle Arjun, Dalit
Sahitya : Ek Abhyas, p.21).
 The Dalit writer wants to say something. His
rejection, protest and agony will be expressed in
his language. (Phadke Bhalchandra, Dalit Sahitya
: Vedana ani Vidroha, p.27)

7.  The words (language component) can be
classified as follows :
 Words in the colloquial language.
 Words used in the rural sector
 Words used by the nomadic tribes like
Kaikadi, Wadar and Pitali
 Words used by the Dalits
 Words in the Kaikadi language
 Some English and other words
 Hackneyed words/pronunciations

8.  Problems begin with the titile- Baluta,
Akkarmashi, Dhor, Aaydaan etc
 Prevalent dictionaries most of the time in vain
 Words related with livelihood, occupations eg.
Baluta, Aaydaan,
 Words associated with culture & traditions-
Melni, Chira Utaravine, dadhi lavane, Keech,
kavala shivane maand, malida, Rayrands ‘ukal’
 ‘tadtamasha’(p.54), ‘taralki’(p.59),
‘rakuli’(p.93),’takkya’ (p.37), ‘karani’ (p.44),
‘kakati’(p. 06), ‘lagir’(p.46), ‘vakut’ (p.3),
‘aabdari’(p.8) , and ‘kanig’(p.10) etc.

9.  ‘Potraj’ (p.33), ‘Siddhanathachi Sasne’ (p.116),
‘Vasudeo’ (p.24), ‘Urus’ and ‘Piracha Malida’
(p.59), ‘Devrushi’ (p.47), ‘ Mariaai’ (p.46)
 ‘sakharpuda’ (p.68), ‘haldicha Divas’ (p.69),
‘Mundaval’ (p.71), ‘mangalashtak’ (p.72),
‘Janvasa’ (p.70), and ‘karvalya’ (p.37)
 ‘gulvani’ (p.71), ‘kordyas’ (p.75), ‘telraand’
(p.75) , ‘barbat’ (p.40), ‘gudsa’ (p.05), and
‘chanya’ (p.06)

10.  Names of flaura and fauna
 Shembadi, chinchbilai, khirni and behadas, gokaru,
kavathes, nagfani, Umbri ,
 Honorofics and social diexis- Johar maay baap
 Mythical references-Eklavya, Aswathama,
Karna, Kunti etc
 Phrases, idioms and proverbs- Potasathi sutala
dharun swrgala jato.
 Kaal aala hota pan vel navati aali
 Dena kusalancha ana jhavana musalanche

11.  Muki radali haak na bomb
 Gharat nahi dana aan male mhan Nana
 ‘jibhela haad haay ka?’ (p.58), ‘potala adhaar
zala’ (p.65), ‘gajarachi pungi vaajali tar vaajali
nahitar modun kadhali’ (p.78) , ‘gaavala
made zale tar tyachi lakde taku naye’ (p.88),
‘tya bai ekapat rahat asatil tar mee choupat
rahin’ (p.104), ‘yacha gaavachya bori ani yacha
gaavachya babhali’(p.135), ‘Mahar Mangana
khata yeina ani kutryala paani pita yeina’
(p.135)

12.  Other caste specific words- Kaikadi words in
Upara, Kolhati words in Kolhatyache Por,
Telugu words (Uchalya), words used by
Mahars (Akkarmashi and Aamacha Baap), by
chambhars and Dhors (Mukkam Post and
Dhor)
 Examples-Swadu, Swadaga, kalla, kurka, ulalal
 Expletives and abusive language

13.  Vijaya Joshi confesses that a middle class
reader is in a fix due to this language. There are
many incomprehensible words. She feels that a
glossary of these words would have proved
useful. She substantiates her point of view with
words such as ‘gudsa’, ‘kekati’ and ‘rakuli’.
 Jadhav opines that white collared society is not
able to understand this language due to
differences or differentness of culture. He too
concurs with Joshi in pointing out the utility of
glossary.

14.  Upara in Pune University
 Sandhya Pande- Many cultural references and
other words
 Santosh Bhoomkar: Formidable task & sense of
inadequacy
 Narendra Jadhav- Boli Bhasha with colloquial or
cockney
 Mahesh Elkunchwar- Oned regional language to
another vocabulary substitutes but not in a
foreign language like English

15.  Collection & Compilation- Herculean Job
 From Dalit Texts, Contact with Dalit writers,
activists, elders in different castes, sub- castes,
locales i.e. from the field
 Classification-parts of speech, definition,
meaning, explanation,
 Various exclamations, honorifics, expletives,
echo words, metaphorical and symbolic words,
connotations, newer connotations, obsolete
words, Cultural terms-explain in the style of
encyclopedia

16.  In Bilingual Dictionary like this-
 Defining lexical items- dialectal classification
 Need to go beyond translation
 Cultural words
 Pronunciation