Modernism in Ooru-Keri

Abstract

Modernism has different characteristic features that include experimentalism, individualism, nihilism, formalism etc. This is the twentieth century phenomenon that revolutionized the world of literature, philosophy, arts and social structure. The impact of modernism on literature particularly in India is also remarkable. Dalit literature is characterized with rejection of established orthodox thoughts, nihilism, individualism and experimentation. Scientific attitude, reasoning, and revolt against established values remained at the core of this literature. The Dalit autobiographical narratives challenged the orthodox world which was full of conventional thoughts. The writers came with these thoughts are from different states of the country such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat, Punjab, etc. The major influence on the Dalit literature was of the ideology of the revolutionary son of the country, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. His modern thoughts brought revolution in the Dalit writers. To this call of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, many writers came up with an innumerable works of art. Karnataka was not behind in literature. With the teaching and preaching of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar through his writings and speeches, the Kannada writers also got influenced and came up with literature in almost all genres of literature. Siddalingaiah is one of the Kannada writers who contributed a lot to literature in the form of narratives and poetry. His autobiographical narrative Ooru-Keri (2003) shows the influence of Ambedkarism and reflects the tenets of modernism. This paper focuses on the tenets of modernism reflected in the narrative Ooru- Keri (2003) by Siddalingaiah.