Kannada writer Devanur Mahadeva, who captured ‘a community that had melted into darkness’, to be conferred TN award

Born in 1948 in Karnataka’s Devanuru village, Mahadeva has remained steadfast in his mission to uplift the lives of marginalised communities. His literary career, though modest in volume, is monumental in impact. Mahadeva’s early works, such as the short novel ‘Odalaala’ (1978) and the award-winning ‘Kusumabale’ (1988), delve into the complexities of Dalit life with an insider’s authenticity. These works earned him accolades, including the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Shri, which he returned in 2015 as a protest against rising intolerance.

Mahadeva is one of several literary figures in Karnataka who have faced death threats from ultra-Hindu groups, leading authorities to provide him with a security ring for his protection. His narratives traverse the intimate and the universal, focusing on survival, resilience, and the systemic forces that perpetuate inequality.

Renowned critic G S Amur had written about Mahadeva’s storytelling as one capturing “a community which had melted into darkness” and framing it within larger societal issues. Mahadeva’s writing not only documents the Dalit experience but also challenges caste hierarchies through indigenous narrative forms.

Mahadeva’s activism is inseparable from his literary pursuits. As a founding member of the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS), he mobilised marginalised communities in Karnataka, fighting for land rights, educational opportunities, and participatory democracy. His vision is rooted in the teachings of B R Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi, whose philosophies he describes as complementary forces in the struggle for justice. Ram Manohar Lohia also influenced Mahadeva’s work and activism, particularly through his advocacy for social justice, caste equality, and economic democracy. The key role he played behind DSS was inspired by Lohia’s ideals.

In one of his interviews in 2018, Mahadeva said, “If we let go of logic and transform [Gandhi and Ambedkar] into energy, into a cocktail, that high could win over the world”. This perspective—embracing ethical rigour and systemic critique—has made him a unique figure in India’s intellectual landscape, bridging ideologies often seen as oppositional.

Mahadeva’s literary oeuvre reflects a nuanced portrayal of caste dynamics and resistance. In ‘Odalaala’, he paints a vivid picture of a Dalit family’s daily struggles, interweaving themes of hunger, dignity, and solidarity. The novel’s portrayal of Sakavva’s family—their fleeting moments of unity and the intrusion of systemic oppression—offers a searing commentary on caste and poverty.

‘Kusumabale’, often hailed as his magnum opus, expands the narrative’s scope to include metaphysical and historical dimensions. The novel’s structure integrates dialogues between the living and the spiritual, drawing on native storytelling traditions.

Critics such as Amur have compared Mahadeva’s work to that of Wole Soyinka, a distinguished Nigerian playwright, poet, and political activist, for its cultural depth and innovative form, underscoring its significance in modern Kannada literature. While Mahadeva is recognised for bringing Dalit experiences to the forefront of Kannada literature, much like how Soyinka had elevated African narratives in global literature, his explorations on temporal dimensions in storytelling is also seen akin to Soyinka’s narrative techniques that often transcend linear time, probing the scope of the characters’ struggles across different timelines.

In 2022, Mahadeva published ‘RSS–Aala Mattu Agala’ (RSS – The Depth and Breadth), a 72-page critique of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The book, which sold several lakh copies, examined the RSS’s role in anti-conversion laws, caste hierarchies, and threats to democracy. This work was celebrated by progressive groups and the Indian opposition circle.

In a 2018 interview, Mahadeva spoke candidly about his ideological influences and the challenges of alternative politics. He said the need for Indian communism to adapt to local realities, criticising its stagnation. “Indian communists need to assimilate India and find their own words and actions,” he said, advocating for a politics rooted in the country’s socio-economic context.

“The more Ambedkar was trampled on, the more he sprouted in people’s minds. Today everyone wants to paint Ambedkar with their colours. If there is a betrayal inside, it’s not good for anyone,” he said in the interview, in reply to Sangh Parivar’s appropriation of Ambedkar.

The Vaikom Award is accompanied by a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a commendation certificate, and a five metal-plated memento.