He is celebrated for his meaningful and impactful works including the poem Wall that spotlighted on the enduring struggles of Dalits. He talks about the divisions and social barriers of the Dalit community.
Dalits are the people/communities who are categorized as the lowest caste among Indian societies by elite upper-caste people. The caste was said to have initially begun for diving jobs for the suitability of the groups and soon it became very oppressive towards Dalits, labeling them as untouchables.
About the Poem
The poem conveys a sense of agency and compassion, with the speaker aiming to become a compass for others, advocating for change and liberation. The speaker in the poem addresses the societal restrictions placed upon the Dalits and the frowns expressed towards them.
The speaker declares that walls built by the era of the past are unmistakably a foundation of prejudice and inequality. Then, the speaker takes an oath to dismantle the oppressive barriers.
The poet also says we’ve heard of the territorial dispute between nations who waged war for the walls but the walls built by the grandpas of our country are extremely durable.
Moral Voice for Justice
He raises a moral dilemma between the elite castists of the society who built those walls & the villages that accepted them.
The generations have gone by yet the walls still stand tall. The poet questions the gatekeeping idea of the people who brought the enduring ordeals on Dalits. Finally, the poet vows to demolish the walls with his own hands.
The most noteworthy statement he made within the verses is, It won't be finished right away and I too don't wish to finish right away meaning, that he does not intend to haste the process of liberating the polluted minds, rather, he swears to do it patiently by weeding out the root causes.
Poet’s Resolution
D.S. Dadhalkar or Dudhalkar is a Marathi poet who wrote the poem Wall. He is celebrated for his meaningful and impactful works including the poem Wall that spotlighted on the enduring struggles of Dalits. He talks about the divisions and social barriers of the Dalit community.
His overshadowed presence in Indian society was welcomed by the literary community and people who advocated for judicious and equal rights for humans for his stance on oppressed communities, especially for the Dalits who are robbed away of their basic rights.
As a human and poet, he exposes those who are responsible for systematic oppression. His unwavering conviction is shown in the poem, addressing the harm and immeasurable suffering the minority has gone through.
Social Barriers
He wants to create a more inclusive and harmonious society with hope and a future where everyone can live peacefully.
The poem Wall is written by D.S.Dudhalkar. The poem unfolds itself by inspecting the societal barricade on Dalits, one of the most oppressed communities in India, Dalits.
In the poem Wall the speaker fervently addresses hierarchical discrimination against Dalits by the castists(elites) of the society whose ignorance and prejudice caused ostracisation.
Contract
The resounding voice of the poet evokes a fierce passion to strongly stand with the side of justice that failed the Dalits even with the judicious law of Dr.Ambedkar that brought the basic rights to those of lower cast, turned out as it was only by paper and words, after him passing away.
The speaker of the poem declares and makes a verbatim contract to break all the walls that hold this despicable caste custom passed down from generation to generation to remain in the old ways.
The poet declares that he will march with the torch, sternly yet patiently to extricate the crude-minded from their ignorance. The derogatory label untouchables for the Dalit is still challenged and criticized by activists and scholars alike.
Structure - Free Verse
The poem does not adhere to any metrical pattern or rhyme scheme, instead, it follows a free-verse style for a more flow of expression. The use of free verse in this poem Wall elucidates the underlying issue in society by removing vague implications that might cause readers to struggle to understand.
Themes of Liberation and Social Change
The poem delves into the metaphorical walls that hinder progress and freedom for the Dalit community, expressing a desire to break down these barriers and pave the way for new beginnings and equitable opportunities.
Symbolism and Metaphor
The use of the term wall as a metaphor for societal barriers and historical injustices adds depth to the poem, reflecting the entrenched nature of the challenges faced by the Dalit community.
The imagery of smashing walls and building spacious and lovely new houses symbolizes the quest for an inclusive and just society.
The poet draws a parallel line between the walls and people’s minds as one that has been drugged with opium. Meaning, that the willful ignorance of the people that gave birth to the cruel treatment influenced the generations after to remain silent.
Final Thoughts
Dadhalkar ends the poem with an assertive tone that he will change that the society as free and as spacious as the verandas of the village homes, where children can play unbothered and those who oppose the cause are welcome to die and I'll offer memorial prayers, said the poet.
Written by V. Hari Shankar Raja
This article has been authored exclusively by the writer and is being presented on Eat My News, which serves as a platform for the community to voice their perspectives. As an entity, Eat My News cannot be held liable for the content or its accuracy. The views expressed in this article solely pertain to the author or writer. For further queries about the article or its content, you can contact this email address – harishankarwrk1@gmail.com
This article has been authored exclusively by the writer and is being presented on Eat My News, which serves as a platform for the community to voice their perspectives. As an entity, Eat My News cannot be held liable for the content or its accuracy. The views expressed in this article solely pertain to the author or writer. For further queries about the article or its content, you can contact this email address – harishankarwrk1@gmail.com
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