Manoranjan Byapari talks about the oppression and marginalisation faced by Dalits in Bengal, in conversation with Meenakshi Thakur.
| Photo Credit: R. Ragu
The pioneer of Dalit writing from Bengal, Manoranjan Byapari, spoke from his heart about his life journey from a refugee to a now much-read author of 27 books at The Hindu Lit for Life session on Nowhere people on Day One on Saturday.
In conversation with Minakshi Thakur, he spoke in a mix of Hindi and Bangla, absolutely rooted to his past and standing up to speak each time he held the mike.
He said West Bengal is a casteless society. “We don’t see ‘Jaatiwad’ (caste differentiation) here as we see in UP, Bihar and Rajasthan.” But his Dalit identity is integral to his literary writings. His book Nowhere People is about Bengal beyond the bhadralok who dislike interference in their literature, culture and politics and; challenge the dominant narratives prevalent today.
Click here to read the live updates of day 1 of The Hindu Lit for Life
Talking about his life on the margins of society, he mentioned about his accidental meeting with writer and activist Mahasweta Devi when she sat in his rickshaw as a passenger. She inspired him to chronicle his life of chandal (lower caste) who came as a refugee from East Pakistan to Kolkata, and later worked in a tea shop, as a cook and became an activist fighting for the downtrodden in Kolkata suburbs.
“It was The Hindu Literary Prize for non-fiction conferred on him in 2017 for Interrogating My Chandal Life, the English translation of his memoir, that opened many doors for him and established him as an author,” he said.
Mr. Byapari’s books have always drawn from real rootless and marginalised people like him who make railway platforms and slums their home. He said he wonders how the deprived struggle to make their ends meet and he always finds women with no education and in poverty to be strong characters as they earn their own money either as vegetable vendors, sex workers and many times other menial jobs.
“I write about their lives because they would never be written about otherwise and it serves as an inspiration for others,” he added.
A former convict, Mr. Byapari also talked about his life in jail and said Jails are the world’s biggest universities as they teach you life lessons without any threat. It is the place where he himself learnt to read and write.
A TMC MLA from Balagarh, Mr. Byapari’s term will end this year and he said he would be happy to return as and remain a writer.
“An illiterate like me has readers following me now. I have received honour which I never did before. I write about the life I have lived. Hunger and humiliation of the marginalised people will always inspire me to write and the ocean of words will always sustain me,” Mr. Byapari added.
The Hindu Lit For Life is presented by The all-new Kia Seltos. In association with: Christ University and NITTE, Associate Partners: Orchids- The International School, Hindustan Group of Institutions, State Bank of India, IndianOil, Indian Overseas Bank, New India Assurance, Akshayakalpa, United India Insurance, ICFAI Group, Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited, Vajiram & Sons, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Mahindra University, Realty Partner: Casagrand, Education Partner: SSVM Institutions, State Partner: Government of Sikkim & Uttarakhand Government
Official Timekeeping Partner: Citizen, Regional Partner: DBS Bank India Ltd, Tourism Partner: Bihar Tourism, Bookstore Partner: Crossword and Water Partner: Repute Radio partner: Big FM
Published – January 17, 2026 01:42 pm IST
