Karukku  (English, Paperback, Faustina Bama)

Karukku is the English translation of Bama's seminal autobiography, which tells the story of a Dalit woman who left her convent to escape from the caste oppression therein.'

Summary of the Book

Her story took the world by storm. When Bama Faustina approached publishing houses in Tamil Nadu with the story of how she was discriminated against in the Catholic Church, they refused to publish her unpolished words. Undeterred, she took her story to the public on her own, and wove a tale of history, caste oppression and sociology to tell how women of so-called low castes are discriminated against in Convents even today. Shocking, since Caste is not a part of Christianity. The book draws readers into Bama's world, and rest assured, it is a world telling the poignant tale of a woman who has prevailed through sheer perseverence in the face of oppression and troubles throughout. Readers will enjoy the updated afterword, which reveals Bama's thoughts on her life ten years after the first publication of the book.

About Bama

Bama Faustina Soosairaj is a Tamil novelist, most prominent for her autobiography. She has also written: Sangati, Vanmam, Kusumbukkaran and Oru Tattvum Erumaiyum.

Bama grew up in a Roman Catholic family and worked as a Nun for several years before she left the convent and decided to write about her journey. Her stories touch upon the themes of caste-bias and gender discrimination, and have been lauded by critics as an example of dalit feminism.