Published Online:March 2025
Product Name:The IUP Journal of English Studies
Product Type:Article
Product Code:IJES070325
DOI:10.71329/IUPJES/2025.20.1.82-97
Author Name:S Maria Bridget Jenitta and Martha Karunakar
Availability:YES
Subject/Domain:Arts and Humanities
Download Format:PDF
Pages:82-97
This study explores the portrayal of marginalized communities in Tamil Nadu, focusing on caste-based oppression, through an analysis of Meena Kandasamy’s novel The Gypsy Goddess (2014) and Mari Selvaraj’s film Pariyerum Perumal (2018). Both works vividly depict trauma, memory, and resistance, highlighting ongoing caste inequalities. Drawing from trauma theory, memory studies, and postcolonial theory, the study examines how written and visual mediums convey the lived experiences of oppressed groups, focusing on power dynamics, resistance, and retaliation. A comparative textual and visual analysis along with secondary sources deepen the understanding of the narratives’ impact. The findings reveal that both works powerfully communicate the struggle against caste-based oppression, with The Gypsy Goddess exploring collective trauma and Pariyerum Perumal providing immediate emotional engagement through visual representation. Both works emphasize reclaiming dignity and identity in the face of oppression. This study highlights the significance of marginalized literature and cinema in raising awareness of social injustices and serving as potent tools for advocacy.
India’s history is deeply rooted in social stratification, where caste-based oppression remains one of the most entrenched forms of discrimination