Fakira

by Anna Bhau Sathe

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.

Genres: Marathi, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1959

About the author

Tukaram 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.

Reviews

[Pankaj Patil · Rating 5 out of 5]

'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.

[Gourang Ambulkar · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Yashpal · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Keshav Parihar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read it ....Nice story with courage ,vigour and vitality

[Rahul Waghmare · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Pradip Lute · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fakira

[Sumedh Kadam · Rating 3 out of 5]

how to i read it.

[Rajiv Palmate]

how to read?

[Geetanjali · Rating 3 out of 5]

“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

[Ashwini Pingale · Rating 4 out of 5]

> 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.

[Satish Jadhav · Rating 4 out of 5]

'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.

[Laxman Khalse]

ही कादंबरी ��्हणजे मराठी वाचक रसिकांसाठी पर्वणीच आहे आणि "वाचलीच" पाहिजे अशी कादंबरी आहे. अण्णा भाऊ साठे यांची लेखणीत काय जादू आहे हे आपल्याला कळून येईल. वाचताना वाचकाला एखादा चित्रपटच बघतोय असा भास होतो.

[Devendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok

[Vijay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great drama and speed of the story... loved it ...

[Swapnil Sarda · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Prof. Baliram Gaikwad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fakira- Anna Bhau Sathe Translated into English by Prof. Baliram Gaikwad
Fight against British regime:
Rather than simply listing grievances, the text strips back the layers of systemic brutality found within colonial law and the rigid hierarchy of caste. Fakira’s journey is an arc of transformation; he shifts from a man reacting to injustice to a symbol of sovereignty and human worth. His defiance isn't just a snub to the British Crown, it is a loud demand for the visibility of India’s most ignored citizens of Dalit caste.

The Power of the Collective:
Anna Bhau Sathe rejects the trope of the ‘lone wolf’ protagonist and ropes in the Robinhood. Instead, he frames Fakira as the heartbeat of his community. Collective resistance to caste, feudality and British regime and here is a communal endeavour, forged in the fire of shared hardship. The emotional peak of the story, Fakira’s self-surrender, to save the lives of three hundred villagers serves as a masterclass in altruism. By trading his life for the safety of his villagers, he moves beyond being a mere rebel and becomes an eternal icon of freedom.

Linguistic Grit and Authenticity
Sathe’s Marathi roots pulse with a rhythmic, oral energy that the English translation carefully protects. Instead of ‘sanitizing’ the rough edges of the original dialogue, the translation leans into the specific idioms and cultural nuances of rural Maharashtra. Hence the narrative that sounds as raw and unfiltered as the lives it portrays and achieves the impact that it forces the reader to confront a subaltern reality without the comfort of Westernized linguistic polish.

Fakira as a Living Archive: Beyond its narrative power, Fakira serves as a profound sociological archive, offering an unfiltered ‘view from within’ that traditional history books often omit. Sathe meticulously deconstructs the caste dynamics of 20th-century rural Maharashtra, exposing the rigid and frequently violent social codes that governed daily existence. The novel tracks a significant cultural resurgence, capturing the moment when marginalized groups began to pivot from quiet endurance toward a budding, localized political consciousness. By centring these voices, the text constructs an alternative history of India’s path to freedom; it successfully challenges the ‘elite-only’ perspective of the independence movement, proving that the hunger for freedom was felt just as fiercely in the dust of the village as it was in the halls of urban political power.

Global Reach and Academic Legacy: The English translation by Prof. Baliram Gaikwad, has acted as a bridge, carrying Sathe’s voice from the villages of Maharashtra to global academia. By finding a home in Dalit Studies and Postcolonial literature programs worldwide, the book has cemented its place as a cornerstone of social justice discourse. Its inclusion in university curricula ensures that the conversation regarding historical memory and representation remains active and urgent.

The Universal Echo of Resistance: Ultimately, Fakira is a testament to the power of the human spirit. Anna Bhau Sathe does not let the narrative dwell in the bitterness of complaint; instead, he transforms the pain of personal and community discrimination into a selfless mission for the greater good. The story moves beyond the scars of the past to look toward a future of national welfare and collective dignity.
At the heart of the novel is the highest form of sacrifice. Driven by an unshakeable integrity and a deep desire for freedom, Fakira willingly gives his life to protect his people and his land. His fight against the shackles of caste and the weight of feudality is not just a local struggle, but a fierce national fervour that echoes a global call for equality. Through this translation, Sathe’s vision of courage and solidarity continues to inspire, proving that true liberation is found when one prioritizes the life of the nation over their own survival.

[Filthcon]

Read 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.

[David - marigold_bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[bookish_aesthetics · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Manjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

"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.

[Kavya Narain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been trying to read more socially important literature lately, and Fakira turned out to be one of the most memorable books I’ve picked up. The novel focuses on the life of a Dalit man who refuses to accept injustice quietly. Fakira’s fight is both personal and collective, which makes the story feel larger than just one character. Anna Bhau Sathe describes the brutal realities of caste discrimination, poverty, and untouchability with striking honesty. At the same time, there is a strong sense of courage running through the narrative. Fakira challenges both the traditional caste order and colonial authority when his people are pushed to the edge of survival. The book made me think a lot about the power of resistance. It’s a story that carries historical importance as well as emotional weight.

[Saanvi Chaturvedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard that this novel is considered a landmark in Dalit literature, and after reading it I can understand why. Fakira by Anna Bhau Sathe tells a story rooted in real social struggles. The protagonist’s fight is not only against caste discrimination but also against hunger, poverty, and humiliation faced by his entire village. What I liked was the sense of collective spirit in the narrative. Fakira doesn’t act for personal glory, he acts because his community is suffering. The novel also reflects the political environment of the time, including the presence of colonial rule. Some parts are difficult to read because they reveal harsh realities, but that honesty is what gives the story its strength. Overall it’s a powerful and historically important work that deserves to be read widely.

[Rajveer Tandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this novel to be both moving and thought provoking. Fakira by Anna Bhau Sathe captures the harsh realities of caste discrimination and social inequality in rural India. The protagonist is driven by a strong sense of responsibility toward his community, which makes his struggle feel meaningful rather than heroic in a dramatic way. Fakira’s resistance against the caste system and colonial authority grows out of the desperate situation faced by his village. The writing focuses a lot on collective survival and dignity. It’s clear that the story represents experiences that many Dalit communities have faced historically. Reading this book gave me a deeper understanding of why Dalit literature holds such an important place in Indian literary history. It’s powerful, sometimes painful, but definitely worth reading.

[Deified Publications · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently spent some time reading about Fakira by Anna Bhau Sathe and I can see why this novel holds such an important place in Dalit literature.

The story follows Fakira, a man who stands up against caste oppression and colonial authority in order to protect his community. What stayed with me most were the small village moments. Children playing games, elders gathering to talk about the jogani festival, and the tension slowly building as resistance grows.

There is also a heartbreaking moment near the end when Fakira decides to surrender to protect his people. That scene really stayed with me.

The translation feels a bit traditional at times but the emotional force of the story carries it forward.

[Neil Ahluwalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book stayed on my mind long after I finished it. The story of Fakira is intense and emotional, but also very important. Anna Bhau Sathe presents the realities of caste oppression and Dalit struggles in a way that feels very authentic. Fakira is portrayed as someone who refuses to remain silent when his community is pushed into starvation and humiliation. His rebellion against the rural caste system and colonial authority becomes the central force of the novel. What makes the book stand out is the strong sense of community. The story constantly reminds the reader that oppression affects entire groups of people, not just individuals. It’s not an easy book to read because the themes are heavy, but it offers a powerful perspective on social injustice and resistance.

[Anaya Singhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this novel I expected a historical story, but it turned out to be much more emotionally intense than I imagined. Fakira tells the story of a man who stands up against the deeply rooted caste system in his village. Anna Bhau Sathe portrays the struggles of Dalit communities with a lot of honesty. The protagonist’s actions come from the need to protect his people from starvation and humiliation. What impressed me was the courage shown by Fakira even when the odds are completely against him. The presence of colonial rule adds another layer of conflict in the story. It shows how multiple systems of power affected marginalized communities. By the end, the novel feels less like fiction and more like a reflection of real struggles faced by many people in history.

[Sahil · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Dr.Nikam S.R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Vaibhav · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥संघर्ष आहे जगण्याचा आणि लढण्याचा🔥

[Dikshant · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.