Bheda

by Akhila Naik, Raj Kumar

Akhila Naik's Bheda (2010) has the distinction of being the first Odiya Dalit novel. It is set in remote villages of the Kalahandi district in western Odisha mired in poverty, drought, famine, child trade, and malnutrition. The novel traces the lives of the educated members of the Dalit community, who become conscious of their plight and rise up in revolt. Threatened by the collective, the upper castes unite to take revenge on the Dalits and their leader Laltu. After gruesome violence is inflicted on the community, the movement comes to an abrupt end with the connivance of the state, the police, the media, and civil society at large.

The word bheda means a sense of difference. When used with the word bhaba (meaning existence in this context), it implies the differences that exist among people in terms of caste, class, or race. It also means 'the target'. The title ties together the multiple meanings of this word.

Genres: Fiction, India

152 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2017

Reviews

[Nikhil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A text narrating tensions within a Dom (a Dalit group) community in Odisha, and the tensions between this community and their Touchable neighbors. The power centers in the village life are outsider Touchables who engage in illegal, exploitative activity that they can get away with by virtue of their power and the remoteness of the area. When the main character in the text starts to assert Dom rights more forcefully, including through direct action, these Touchables conspire to forming social unrest and blame it on the Doms.

The novel explores a variety of themes related to caste, poverty, and marginalization. It depicts tensions between different models for Dalit progress/liberation reflected in intergenerational conflict, the internalized self-hated associated with the worship of Brahmin gods, etc. it does not explore armed resistance, or forcing Touchables to perform low-caste (ie manual scavenging) as a way to erase caste.

The translation, while admirable, is a little clunky. I imagine it is quite difficult to translate Odia argot into English in a meaningful way. So at times it is a little rough around the edges.

[Apurva Nagpal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Bheda by Akhila Naik (translated from Odia by Raj Kumar) is the first Odia Dalit novel that deals with the theme of caste in the contemporary Odia society.

Set in a remote village in the Kalahandi district of Odisha and told in seven chapters, each chapter named after a character, this short book narrates a poignant story of caste oppression; exposing the stereotypes and double standards of the Indian caste-biased society by highlighting different forms of atrocities perpetrated by the upper castes on Dalits. Although fictional, the substance of the stories, characters and events are all lived experiences and intimately witnessed by the author.

Through Laltu, a young Dalit activist, he represents today’s youth who keeps challenging and working against the social barriers but also the consequences they face at the hands of others for their rebellion.
Naik is blunt in revealing the discourse of power in the novel and provides multiple instances of tension that deftly traces it to the deeply rooted ‘caste mindedness’ of the society we live in. He also exposes the role of various agencies of the Indian state including the Police, administration, education system and media that further aid the upper castes to continue their discrimination.

The book includes a note from the translator and an introduction which outlines the history of Dalits in Odisha, social protest movements in medieval and contemporary Odisha, education and it’s importance, the title of the novel and the narrative strategies used etc. I read the introduction after I finished the book and it was such an enlightening read! I’ve noted down so many points from this section as well as the text, since this was a borrowed copy but I can’t wait to get a personal copy and have all my friends read it.

A short yet moving account and a definite must read!

[Anshuman Swain · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was very heart-touching and beautifully translated from Odia. I was imagining the original Odia version from this, as I couldn't lay my hands on the Odia version.

I really liked the structure of moving the story through the lens of different characters and how the characters were constructed. I would have given it a 5, but perhaps I felt the flow could have been slightly better.

I also really appreciated the introduction, which I can pass it on to others who are unfamiliar with the matter of Casteism in Odisha.

[Arunesh .N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me question why such beautiful works aren't seen on school syllabus. This is a perfect work meant for 12+ children. Lot of drama, lot of action, lot of suspense and most of all-- relatability!

Although this is a Dalit novel, even someone who knows nothing of caste can enjoy this work. This is beautifully written!

P. S. Read the preface!

[Nakkeeran]

Set in the recent decades of rural Orissa the book is about life of a dalit boy-to-youth who questions his family and community. Akhila Naik tells the story of this youth through a set of characters. The simple narrative style with no literary ornamentation makes the reading without distraction and takes us to that space and time. The social setting reminds that of 'Gypsy Goddess' by Meena Kandhasamy, but not as intense as that of GG. Good translation by Rajkumar. Hoping for more such stories from Orissa.

[Abhishek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable. Started it in the evening and finished it next morning. It feels good to see Odia literature receive such appreciation.

[Ashis Sahu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given that this book was originally written in Odia in 2008, and since the author and translator both drop hints that these incidents are real ones fictionalised, it is up for debate whether we have move forward or backward in the 13 years hence.
Also that the book has come from a region infamous for its poverty, the author deserves much more recognition for this work than he has got. At the same time it is brave of the translator, editor, and publisher to bring this book out into the public domain.

[Gautam Mohite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bheda is the first anti-caste Odia novel, originally written in Odia by Akhila Naik and translated by Raj Kumar. It is inspired by true events in the author's life who belongs from a remote village in Odisha’s Kalahandi district. As Akhila remarks, "No incident in the novel is either imaginary or exaggerated; I have witnessed and experienced all of them myself. I know all the characters quite intimately."

Written in a very simple folk style, atleast some part of it will be relatable in the life of a Bahujan, especially an SC reader. Akhila has captured a variety of caste related perspectives right from the difficulties faced by an SC family, the nuances of the beliefs within them, the casteist mentality of the UCs, their true merit, and even the role of liberal media in oppressing our people.

The character of Mastrani was most relatable to me as I could see glimpses of my own mother in her. Mastrani is a first generation learner of sorts, highly protective of her family, but also has been influenced by some Brahminical practices due to being very religious.

Laltu, the protagonist represents every assertive Ambedkarite who always thinks in a rational way and questions superstitions despite having limited education and more importantly he challenges and threatens the existence of Brahminical practices and caste Hindus in his village.

The characters Baya, an entitled and incompetent brahmin and Semi Seth, a bania whose family has accumulated wealth by questionable means, truly represent the vile nature of their respective communites. Each and every action and words of these two characters and their interaction with each other is an allegory of the whole Brahmin-Bania caste hegemony and Akhila Naik has beautifully captured this. How these two characters think is true for every caste Hindu and the only difference being the priestly Hindu says it out loud whereas the secular Hindu hides it to appear progressive. In any case, they just cant stand even a small improvement in the state of the oppressed castes and are always plotting to suppress any form of assertion or progress.

Bheda is a very short yet engaging read with its non-linear story telling and simple language. The local references make it very authentic yet it captures the universal reality of Caste in Indian society very comprehensively.

I think if the book is adapted into a film it will be really hard-hitting and a difficult pill to swallow for the savarnas.

[Sudhansu Mohanty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story about the lower caste people and the oppresion they face in society.

[mahlaqa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quietly rebellious. Must read.

[Dr.Dnyaneshwar Digole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Akhila Naik’s maiden Bheda (2008) was first published in a short-lived Odia magazine named Paschima in its October issue. When it was published in a book form in 2010, the novel fetched a wider readership. Its near-perfect English translation in 2017 by Prof. Raj Kumar with an introduction and explanatory notes multiplied its readership with pan-Indian appeal. It depicts a poignant story of caste oppression and rebellion based on the actual lived experiences of the Dalit people, particularly in contemporary Odia and other Indian states. This story of a Dalit school principal’s son named Laltu, is set in remote villages of the Kalahandi district in western Odisha mired in poverty, drought, famine, child trade, and malnutrition. He emerges as a staunch Dalit activist and takes on the powerful upper-caste duo of a businessman and a politically influential lawyer running an Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh shakha in the village. Divided in seven chapters, each chapter named after a character, the novel exposes the caste stereotypes and double standards of the caste-biased Indian society through different forms of atrocities perpetrated by the upper castes on the Dalits. This captivating novella is a welcome addition and must read for a realistic picture of contemporary socio-cultural patterns in Odisha.

[Binayak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book talks about various aspects of Tribal and Rural settlements. It is Set in Bhawanipatna and its surrounding villages and has 7 key characters whose lives are intertwined. Through the characters the book highlights
1. Feudal control of schools and Education system and the consequent Racial discrimination among students, miseries of Govt Teachers, Failure of Govt schemes.
2. Corruption in the Forest Regulations through illegal logging, Fraudulent dealings with Mafias, indiscriminate killing of Wild Animals like tiger for decoration and medicinal superstitions.
3. Land grabbing or buying in exchange of almost nothing through Manipulation.
4. Religious Indoctrination and its tactics, and false accusations and the conflict between Mainstream Gods and Tribal Gods.
5. Worker’s movements and the associated politics of Money.
6. Dark sides of Social activism
7. Ethics and Morality versus Family and Love
8. The subversion of Truth
9. Most Importantly, Caste. Caste has been a consistent theme throughout the book impacting all of the above aspects.
A very short book that can be finished in 2-3 hours in a single sitting.

[Avishek Bhattacharjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relevant (Brahmanical society, oppression and discrimination) and a must read.
ওড়িশা রাজ্যের প্রতন্তরে কালাহান্ডি নামক এক জেলার দলিতদের উপর নির্মম অত্যাচারের কাহিনী | লেখাটা শুধুই একটা বিদ্রোহ নয়, প্রথম ওড়িয়া দলিত উপন্যাস হওয়ার সুবাদে জাতপাত জনিত অত্যাচার, নিপীড়ন এবং সামাজিক ক্ষয়ের একটা বর্ণনা পাওয়া যায় | প্রত্যেক মানুষের পড়া দরকার |বাঙালি পাঠকরা এরকম লেখা আগেও পড়েছেন, কিন্তু ইংরেজি ট্রান্সলেশন আসার ফলে আরো বেশি মানুষ পড়বে এটাই আশা করবো |