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Fakira
Dalit literature particularly fiction, autobiography and poetry has emerged as a vital modern literary force in India. The scope and richness of this literature is brilliantly exemplified by novels like Fakira which is the landmark novel in the foundation of Dalit literature in India. Authors like Anna Bhau Sathe illustrate experiences of caste discrimination, untouchability, and Dalit subjugation. The undaunted and ceaseless battle of the protagonist Fakira for the collective welfare of his community forms the core of the narrative. He revolts against the rural orthodox caste system and the British Raj to save his village from utter starvation, humiliation and death.
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First published March 1, 1959
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About the author
Anna Bhau Sathe
31 books30 followersTukaram Bhaurao Sathe, popularly known as Anna Bhau Sathe, was a social reformer, folk poet, and writer from Maharashtra, India. Sathe was a Dalit born into the Matang community, and his upbringing and identity were central to his writing and political activism. Sathe was a Marxist-Ambedkarite mosaic, initially influenced by the communists but he later became an Ambedkarite. He is credited as a founding father of 'Dalit Literature' and played a vital role in the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement.
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December 12, 2019
'फकिरा राणू मांग' या पात्राची हि कथा - पांढरीला कशा प्रकारे जागले पाहिजे याचे उदाहरण राणू,पंत,पाटील,दौलती आणि सावळा, फकिरा यांच्या पात्रांतून उभे करते तर कसे वागायला नको यासाठीचे रावसाहेब खलनायक पात्र रंगविते.फकिरा कशाप्रकारे गावकुसाबाहेर निवडुंगात राहून सुद्धा गावचा पांढरिचा असतो आणि आपल्या माणसांकरिता कशाप्रकारे आत्मसमर्पण करतो; हि कथा सांगताना अण्णाभाऊ शोषित वर्गाला रोजच्या अडचणींना कशा प्रकारे तोंड द्यावे लागते,गावाच्या सन्मानासाठी जीव देणारा राणू,अमक्या जातीचा म्हणून एक कायदा तरी आपल्याला काय कळतंय? पांढरीचा आदेश पाळायला पाहिजे म्हणणारा सावळा,तुम्ही काय बी करून जगलं पाहिजे म्हणणारे पंत,मांगांच्या घरांना काटेरी झडपी लावून कोंडमारा करणारा रावसाहेब आणि ६ जिवांच्या बद्ल्यात २०० जीव नाही जमणार, म्हणत आत्मसमर्पण करणारा फकिरा.
अण्णाभाऊ साठेंची लेखणी नेहमीच शोषितांच्या संघर्षाची कहाणी सांगून जाते.
अण्णाभाऊ साठेंची लेखणी नेहमीच शोषितांच्या संघर्षाची कहाणी सांगून जाते.
March 18, 2023
Pretty naively written and seems like Anna Bhau Sathe did not prefer to ruffle many feathers in 1950s. The writing style is pretty romantic and filled with Marathi Valor.
Though , thingbto note was the clarification issued through the story as it relates to the behavior patterns of the Maang caste people, which unfairly were attributed to the caste characteristics and the root causes were ignored by the society. Annabhau has managed to provide the reader with evolution of the so called ' Maang' behavior.
Otherwise, it reads like any other run of the mill revolutionary rebellion.
Pretty fast read and to the point.
Though , thingbto note was the clarification issued through the story as it relates to the behavior patterns of the Maang caste people, which unfairly were attributed to the caste characteristics and the root causes were ignored by the society. Annabhau has managed to provide the reader with evolution of the so called ' Maang' behavior.
Otherwise, it reads like any other run of the mill revolutionary rebellion.
Pretty fast read and to the point.
December 26, 2016
This is a story about humanity's struggle for meaning and purpose. Annabhau has told it from the perspective of an oppressed 'untouchable' caste in Indian society. The novel is replete with instances where different characters make a meaningful distinction between mere survival and survival with dignity and choose the latter. This choice is the choice of humanity!
February 7, 2014
I have read it ....Nice story with courage ,vigour and vitality
December 6, 2016
One of the best novels written in Marathi language. No words! I know if I write something about this novel, I may be making fool of myself. Just a little issue though, and it's that the complete story looks like collection of events rather than single story.
December 6, 2015
how to i read it.
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August 4, 2015how to read?
December 31, 2021
“स्मशानातलं सोनं” धडा आठवतोय? अण्णा भाऊ साठेंच्या ( नीटसं आठवत नाही, पण बहुतेक “कृष्णाकाठच्या कथा” मधून घेतलेल्या) पुस्तकातील धडा होता.
त्यांच्या आणखी एका पुस्तकातून घेतलेला धडा होता, “माझे माहेर वाघदरा”, स्त्रियांचा हुंड्यामुळे उद्ध्वस्त होणारा संसार उभा करून देणाऱ्या आणि त्यांचा संसार सुरळीत करून देणाऱ्या माणसाबद्दलचा तो धडा होता. मी सावळ्याचा धडा म्हणायचे.( या पुस्तकातील सत्याबा त्या सावळ्याचीच जणू आठवण करून देतो…)
खूप वर्षांनंतर अण्णा भाऊ साठेंची कादंबरी वाचायला मिळाली. फकिरा वाचताना या धड्यांची आठवण आल्याशिवाय राहात नाही, कारण यातला सत्तू/सत्याबा हाच त्या हुंडाबळीच्या धड्यातील नायक होता असं वाटत राहतं.
पुस्तकाची प्रस्तावना वि. स. खांडेकर यांची असून मुखपृष्ठ आणि चित्रे अनिल उपळेकर यांची आहेत. “फकिरा” वाचताना ६०-७० च्या दशकातील एखादा मराठी चित्रपटच पाहत असल्याचा भास होतो. लेखकानं प्रदेश आणि प्रसंगनिर्मिती सुंदर केली आहे. फकिरा, विष्णुपंत कुलकर्णी, राधा, राणोजी, सावळा, शंकरराव पाटील आणि इतर सर्व पात्र छान रंगवली आहेत. गावासाठी राणोजीनं केलेल्या कार्याबद्दल समस्त गाव आपापल्या परिनं आणि निष्ठेनं कृतज्ञता व्यक्त करतं. मित्रासाठी जीवाचं रान करणारा फकिरा कुटुंबीयांबाबतही तितकाच हळवा होतो. कधी हताश न होता येईल त्या परिस्थितीचा सामना करू पाहतो, तर कधी अन्यायाविरोधात बंड पुकारण्याचं धाडस दाखवतो. अशा या कथेच्या नायकाला विष्णुपंत जमेल त्याप्रमाणे साथ देतात. कथेतील काही प्रसंग अंगावर काटा आणतात, काही भावनाविवश करतात, तर काही माणुसकीचं दर्शन घडवतात. यातील सत्याबाच्या कथेचा भाग गुंतवून ठेवणारा असला, तरीही मूळ कथेला त्याचा तितकासा उपयोग होताना दिसत नाही.
कथेचा शेवट काय असू शकतो, याचा थोडाफार अंदाज येत असूनही प्रत्यक्ष शेवट वाचल्यानंतर निराश वाटत राहतं.
रूपरेषा :
राज्य सरकारने प्रथम पारितोषिक देऊन गौरविलेली कादंबरी
वास्तव, अनुभव आणि प्रतिभा असा त्रिवेणी संगम झाल्यावर किती श्रेष्ठ दर्जाची कलाकृती निर्माण होऊ शकते, याचे अण्णा भाऊ साठे यांची "फकिरा” ही कादंबरी एक ठसठशीत उदाहरण आहे. डॉ. बाबासाहेब आंबेडकर यांना ही कृती अर्पण करून अण्णा भाऊ साठे यांनी मोठेच औचित्य साधले आहे. स्वकीयांची सावकारशाही व परकीयांची साम्राज्यशाही यांना फकिराने दिलेली झुंज १९४२ च्या प्रतिसरकारशी नाते सांगणारी आहे, यात संशय नाही. समग्र गावगाडा उभा करण्याचे कसब अण्णा भाऊ साठे यांच्याइतके कोणालाच साधलेले नाही.
- डॉ. सदानंद मोरे
त्यांच्या आणखी एका पुस्तकातून घेतलेला धडा होता, “माझे माहेर वाघदरा”, स्त्रियांचा हुंड्यामुळे उद्ध्वस्त होणारा संसार उभा करून देणाऱ्या आणि त्यांचा संसार सुरळीत करून देणाऱ्या माणसाबद्दलचा तो धडा होता. मी सावळ्याचा धडा म्हणायचे.( या पुस्तकातील सत्याबा त्या सावळ्याचीच जणू आठवण करून देतो…)
खूप वर्षांनंतर अण्णा भाऊ साठेंची कादंबरी वाचायला मिळाली. फकिरा वाचताना या धड्यांची आठवण आल्याशिवाय राहात नाही, कारण यातला सत्तू/सत्याबा हाच त्या हुंडाबळीच्या धड्यातील नायक होता असं वाटत राहतं.
पुस्तकाची प्रस्तावना वि. स. खांडेकर यांची असून मुखपृष्ठ आणि चित्रे अनिल उपळेकर यांची आहेत. “फकिरा” वाचताना ६०-७० च्या दशकातील एखादा मराठी चित्रपटच पाहत असल्याचा भास होतो. लेखकानं प्रदेश आणि प्रसंगनिर्मिती सुंदर केली आहे. फकिरा, विष्णुपंत कुलकर्णी, राधा, राणोजी, सावळा, शंकरराव पाटील आणि इतर सर्व पात्र छान रंगवली आहेत. गावासाठी राणोजीनं केलेल्या कार्याबद्दल समस्त गाव आपापल्या परिनं आणि निष्ठेनं कृतज्ञता व्यक्त करतं. मित्रासाठी जीवाचं रान करणारा फकिरा कुटुंबीयांबाबतही तितकाच हळवा होतो. कधी हताश न होता येईल त्या परिस्थितीचा सामना करू पाहतो, तर कधी अन्यायाविरोधात बंड पुकारण्याचं धाडस दाखवतो. अशा या कथेच्या नायकाला विष्णुपंत जमेल त्याप्रमाणे साथ देतात. कथेतील काही प्रसंग अंगावर काटा आणतात, काही भावनाविवश करतात, तर काही माणुसकीचं दर्शन घडवतात. यातील सत्याबाच्या कथेचा भाग गुंतवून ठेवणारा असला, तरीही मूळ कथेला त्याचा तितकासा उपयोग होताना दिसत नाही.
कथेचा शेवट काय असू शकतो, याचा थोडाफार अंदाज येत असूनही प्रत्यक्ष शेवट वाचल्यानंतर निराश वाटत राहतं.
रूपरेषा :
राज्य सरकारने प्रथम पारितोषिक देऊन गौरविलेली कादंबरी
वास्तव, अनुभव आणि प्रतिभा असा त्रिवेणी संगम झाल्यावर किती श्रेष्ठ दर्जाची कलाकृती निर्माण होऊ शकते, याचे अण्णा भाऊ साठे यांची "फकिरा” ही कादंबरी एक ठसठशीत उदाहरण आहे. डॉ. बाबासाहेब आंबेडकर यांना ही कृती अर्पण करून अण्णा भाऊ साठे यांनी मोठेच औचित्य साधले आहे. स्वकीयांची सावकारशाही व परकीयांची साम्राज्यशाही यांना फकिराने दिलेली झुंज १९४२ च्या प्रतिसरकारशी नाते सांगणारी आहे, यात संशय नाही. समग्र गावगाडा उभा करण्याचे कसब अण्णा भाऊ साठे यांच्याइतके कोणालाच साधलेले नाही.
- डॉ. सदानंद मोरे
August 10, 2019
> राज्य सरकारने प्रथम पारितोषिक देऊन गौरवलेली अण्णा भाऊ साठे यांची कादंबरी फकिरा.
> 'फकिरा' चे भारतीय भाषेबरोबर रशियन, झेक, पोलिश, जर्मन या भाषांतही अनुवाद झाले आहेत.
इंग्रजी सत्तेला आव्हान देणाऱ्या फकीराची हि गोष्ट आहे.
पुस्तकातील फकिरा, राधा, विष्णुपंत इत्यादी सर्व व्यक्ती अण्णाभाऊंच्या साक्षात परिवारातल्या आहेत.
इंग्रजांच्या काळातील महार मांगांच्या वस्तीतील अवस्था कशी होती तसेच त्यांच्यावर होणारे अत्याचार यामध्ये आहेत.
हि माणसे अन्यायाविरुद्ध लढतात, सतत झुंजतात, आणि प्रसंगी प्राणार्पणही करतात.
February 5, 2019
'Fakira' is, no doubt, the interesting novel which tells the story of the protagonist; the stout young guy, named Fakira, his feat, his crusading for the rights of people of his community in the British regime and his enmity towards the evil forces in the village. However, the cause from where the story progresses is the religious practice called "Jogin" which gives a way to further actions should not be forgotten.
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May 23, 2020ही कादंबरी म्हणजे मराठी वाचक रसिकांसाठी पर्वणीच आहे आणि "वाचलीच" पाहिजे अशी कादंबरी आहे. अण्णा भाऊ साठे यांच��� लेखणीत काय जादू आहे हे आपल्याला कळून येईल. वाचताना वाचकाला एखादा चित्रपटच बघतोय असा भास होतो.
July 25, 2019
Great drama and speed of the story... loved it ...
January 1, 2021
While reading this book, initially I hoped that the hero will do something that will help his community come out of their predicament. But all he does is robbery and fleeing away. Disappointing.
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September 27, 2025Read in India, Sept '25
Tell your woes to yourself and your joys to the world
The myth of the people's hero, Fakira tells of the rebellion of one man born into the Mang community, one of the so-called "criminal castes", against systemic oppression.
The Mangs are described as servants of the village, to the point where they're responsible if a bundle of hay goes missing. They're characterized by their poverty and their pride, the pride of the sword.
I'm still wildly unfamiliar with how castes work so I'm left piecing together how exactly is it that they function in their villages. However, the Mang and Mahar communities apparently fulfill a servant/warrior role. Due to this, even though they're stricken by poverty, they're too proud to beg and in times of drought or famine they're forced to become thieves. Hence the "criminal caste" mark. Such is the paradox of poverty, forced to become thieves and then punished, reinforcing the cycle.
It's a melodramatic story, there's not much depth to the villains but as the story progressed I became more lenient. Mainly because it feels more like the oral tradition of a downtrodden group being written, a myth, a legend. Anyway, it does show an unfair treatment of the Mang community by higher castes and the British.
A few pages telling of the exploits of Sattu were particularly engrossing and I found this quote especially interesting:
It was his firm belief that true valour was sharpened on the whetstone of poverty
Should be paired with a study on caste for a deeper understanding of the book.
Tell your woes to yourself and your joys to the world
The myth of the people's hero, Fakira tells of the rebellion of one man born into the Mang community, one of the so-called "criminal castes", against systemic oppression.
The Mangs are described as servants of the village, to the point where they're responsible if a bundle of hay goes missing. They're characterized by their poverty and their pride, the pride of the sword.
I'm still wildly unfamiliar with how castes work so I'm left piecing together how exactly is it that they function in their villages. However, the Mang and Mahar communities apparently fulfill a servant/warrior role. Due to this, even though they're stricken by poverty, they're too proud to beg and in times of drought or famine they're forced to become thieves. Hence the "criminal caste" mark. Such is the paradox of poverty, forced to become thieves and then punished, reinforcing the cycle.
It's a melodramatic story, there's not much depth to the villains but as the story progressed I became more lenient. Mainly because it feels more like the oral tradition of a downtrodden group being written, a myth, a legend. Anyway, it does show an unfair treatment of the Mang community by higher castes and the British.
A few pages telling of the exploits of Sattu were particularly engrossing and I found this quote especially interesting:
It was his firm belief that true valour was sharpened on the whetstone of poverty
Should be paired with a study on caste for a deeper understanding of the book.
October 25, 2022
The people of Shigaon, in a rural area of Maharashtra of pre-independence India, celebrate their annual fair with the procession of the “jogani jotra”, a coconut covered with a yellow cloth which brings fortune and status to their village. Ranoji, of the Mang caste from the neighbouring village of Vategaon, bravely sets out on his beloved horse Gabarya to recover the jogani for his own village. Tradition ordains that he risks being beheaded should he be caught in the process. So begins this fascinating novel that tells the story of Ranoji’s son, Fakira a hero who rebels against caste discrimination and the repression of British rule, to defend his community and protect them from starvation and injustice.
Anna Bhau Sathe (1920-1969) was a writer, poet and social activist from the same Maharashtra region of India where the novel is set. Born into the Dalit (untouchable) Matang caste and self-educated, he is generally recognised as the father of Dalit literature. Of his 35 novels Fakira is perhaps the best known and, so far as I am aware, the only one currently available in an English edition, translated from the original Marathi.
I found Fakira to be a thoroughly rewarding read, always engaging and with a beautiful and original prose that I felt really transported to me to the particular time and place which the author describes. Great credit to Prof. Baliram Gaikwad for the wonderful and seamless translation
Anna Bhau Sathe (1920-1969) was a writer, poet and social activist from the same Maharashtra region of India where the novel is set. Born into the Dalit (untouchable) Matang caste and self-educated, he is generally recognised as the father of Dalit literature. Of his 35 novels Fakira is perhaps the best known and, so far as I am aware, the only one currently available in an English edition, translated from the original Marathi.
I found Fakira to be a thoroughly rewarding read, always engaging and with a beautiful and original prose that I felt really transported to me to the particular time and place which the author describes. Great credit to Prof. Baliram Gaikwad for the wonderful and seamless translation
January 3, 2026
अण्णाभाऊ साठे यांची फकिरा ही कादंबरी १९५९ मध्ये प्रकाशित झाली आणि काही वर्षांतच आपल्या प्रभावी कथनशैलीमुळे तिने व्यापक मान्यता मिळवली. १९६१ मध्ये महाराष्ट्र शासनाचा ‘उत्कृष्ट कादंबरी’ पुरस्कार मिळवणारी फकिरा साध्या माणसाच्या धगधगत्या अस्मितेची, संघर्षाची आणि बंडखोरीची कथा सांगते.
दलित समाजातील ‘फकिरा’ हा तरुण,ब्रिटिश सत्तेला आव्हान देत उभा राहतो आणि त्यातून उलगडत जाते प्रतिकाराची, अन्यायाविरुद्ध लढ्याची आणि परिवर्तनाची प्रेरणादायी कहाणी.
अण्णाभाऊ साठे यांच्या साहित्याची मुळाक्षरेच संघर्ष, प्रतिकार आणि मानवी मूल्ये ही आहेत. फकिराही त्याला अपवाद नाही. दुष्काळात जीव वाचवणारा, महिलांचे रक्षण करणारा, छळछावण्यांत अडकलेल्या लोकांची मुक्तता करणारा, आणि लुटलेला खजिना पुन्हा गरिबांमध्ये वाटणारा असा हा नायक मराठी साहित्याच्या इतिहासात अजरामर झाला आहे. सामाजिक न्यायाची आणि स्वातंत्र्याची ज्योत त्याच्या प्रत्येक कृतीत दिसते, म्हणूनच फकिरा हा वंचितांचा प्रेरणास्रोत ठरतो.
ही कादंबरी तिच्या ओघवत्या भाषेमुळे, वास्तवदर्शी कथनशैलीमुळे आणि साध्या माणसाला केंद्रस्थानी आणणाऱ्या दृष्टिकोनामुळे मराठी साहित्याचा एक मैलाचा दगड ठरली आहे. तिचे पोलिश, जर्मन, रशियन, इंग्रजी अशा अनेक भाषांमध्ये अनुवाद झाले आहेत आणी हीच तिच्या प्रभावाची साक्ष म्हणता येईल.
कादंबरीची भाषा अत्यंत सोपी, सरळ आणि सहज समजणारी असल्यामुळे फकिरा कोणत्याही वयातील वाचकाला भिडते. मराठी साहित्यातील ‘मनाचे पान’ बनण्याइतकी ही कादंबरी वाचकांच्या मनात स्थिरावते.
July 22, 2025
"Fakira" is a powerful and deeply moving Marathi novel written by Lokshahir Anna Bhau Sathe, one of Maharashtra’s most influential social reformers and Dalit writers. Set against the backdrop of British-ruled India, the novel tells the story of Fakira, a brave and rebellious young man from a marginalized community, who dares to stand up against oppression, injustice, and poverty.
The story begins with Fakira living an ordinary life, but circumstances force him to become an outlaw—not by choice, but by the cruelty of the system. His journey from an innocent man to a rebel leader is gripping, emotional, and thought-provoking. He steals not for personal gain, but to feed the hungry and help the helpless. Through Fakira’s eyes, we witness the harsh realities of caste discrimination, colonial exploitation, and the indomitable spirit of resistance.
Anna Bhau Sathe’s writing is raw, honest, and emotionally intense. He gives voice to the voiceless and exposes the deep-rooted inequalities in Indian society. The language is simple yet powerful, and the narrative touches your heart with its sincerity.
The story begins with Fakira living an ordinary life, but circumstances force him to become an outlaw—not by choice, but by the cruelty of the system. His journey from an innocent man to a rebel leader is gripping, emotional, and thought-provoking. He steals not for personal gain, but to feed the hungry and help the helpless. Through Fakira’s eyes, we witness the harsh realities of caste discrimination, colonial exploitation, and the indomitable spirit of resistance.
Anna Bhau Sathe’s writing is raw, honest, and emotionally intense. He gives voice to the voiceless and exposes the deep-rooted inequalities in Indian society. The language is simple yet powerful, and the narrative touches your heart with its sincerity.
August 20, 2020
Fakira is very inspirational book . It is a story and reality of the individuals who have suffered innumerable injustices in their life because they born in low caste and how Fakira risen to the stature where he not only shown his character for his caste but to the humanity.I never believed in unjust and cruel caste system.Story is written with very special attention to his valour and heart.Thank to Anna Bhau. I owe you al lot.
January 9, 2021
It's a great effort done by the person from backward class ...
There were many but cauldt fought with the existed ,
I am proud that the person from poor family can do the things which cannot be done by so called Kulkarni and Patil.
There were many but cauldt fought with the existed ,
I am proud that the person from poor family can do the things which cannot be done by so called Kulkarni and Patil.
August 18, 2020
🔥संघर्ष आहे जगण्याचा आणि लढण्याचा🔥
October 13, 2020
अण्णाभाऊंच्या समर्थ लेखणीतून उतरलेल्या या छोटेखानी कादंबरीचा मनावर पडलेला प्रभाव अनंत काळासाठी राहणार आहे. यात प्रत्येक पात्राच केलेलं चित्रण, प्रत्येकाचं स्वभाववैशिष्ट्य अतिशय सुंदर रीतीने चितारलं आहे. कादंबरीचा मुख्य नायक फकीरा आहे. फकिराने त्या काळात केलेला पराक्रम आणि त्या काळची परिस्थिती यावर कादंबरी भाष्य करते.
April 18, 2021
One of the nice reads.
May 4, 2021
Apratim book..
May 5, 2021
Really Good story
September 18, 2021
Probably one of the most revolutionary novels I have read
October 14, 2022
फकिराचा संघर्ष स्वतःच्या गावातून, समाजातून सुरू होतो आणि पुढेही चालू राहतो.
निसर्ग, चांगल्या-वाईट माणसांचे फकिरासोबतचे प्रसंग या सर्वांच वर्णन अण्णा भाऊ यांनी नाट्यमय शैलीने केले आहे.
निसर्ग, चांगल्या-वाईट माणसांचे फकिरासोबतचे प्रसंग या सर्वांच वर्णन अण्णा भाऊ यांनी नाट्यमय शैलीने केले आहे.
November 19, 2024
Inspire your children with the virtues of courage, fearlessness, chivalry, valor, bravery, sacrifice, freedom, and justice through this remarkable book!
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