UNTOUCHABLE SPRING BY G. KALYANA RAO (TRANSLATED FROM THE TELUGU BY ALLADI UMA AND SRIDHAR)

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BOOK NAME: UNTOUCHABLE SPRING

AUTHOR NAME: G. KALYANA RAO (TRANSLATED FROM THE TELUGU BY ALLADI UMA AND SRIDHAR)

GENRE: POLITICAL FICTION

PUBLISHER: ORIENT BLACKSWAN




Untouchable - a word that goes hand in hand with the Indian caste system. And, one cannot speak about the Indian caste system without talking about this book.


Untouchable Spring is an important work of fiction which masters the art of oral storytelling highlighting the struggles of the generations of the Malas and Madigas of Yellenadinni, how their lives are reduced to nothing because of the curse of the Gods and how they fought against all odds for their own justice. You can't read this book without a feeling of tightness in your chest.


This book is included in the indian curriculum at many levels and I understand why. But having said that, for me, it was an extremely difficult read. It took me three long months to finish, skimming through parts of it. It might have been the overuse of characters or the homophonic names or the cultural extravaganza that was presented without a break one after the other. I had to take multiple breaks in between as well. I tried reading and rereading some parts but they kind of went over my head. I wanted to love it, but all I could manage was to like it in parts. 


I still would recommend it for its important discussion on caste oppression prevalent throughout the decades in India. The copy is extremely rare and expensive. Go for it, if you can afford or find it.



This is a part of BlogchatterA2Z2026 challenge

#penbooksandscalpel

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