Depictions of Hunger, Humiliation, and Caste Discrimination in Laxman Gaikwad's Autobiography the Branded

Abstract

This thematic analysis examines Laxman Gaikwad's seminal Dalit autobiography The Branded (Uchalya) to explore how the author depicts the interconnected experiences of hunger, humiliation, and caste discrimination. Through close textual analysis and scholarly engagement with secondary sources, this study reveals how Gaikwad employs vivid narrative techniques to expose the systematic nature of caste oppression in India. The paper argues that The Branded transcends personal testimony to become a powerful indictment of structural violence inherent in the caste system. By analyzing specific passages and literary devices, this research demonstrates how the autobiography contributes to Dalit literary aesthetics while documenting the lived realities of untouchability. The study concludes that Gaikwad's work serves as both historical documentation and a call for social transformation, making it an essential text for understanding caste-based discrimination and resistance.