He who writes ever so daringly; Image Source: Prajavani

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"*If I were a tree*

*the bird wouldn’t ask*

*before it built its nest*

*what caste I am.* 

*When sunlight embraced me* 

*my shadow wouldn’t feel defiled. . . .” —* If I Were a Tree by Mudnakudu Chinnaswamy

A man who was born on 22nd September 1954, Mudnakudu Chinnaswamy was raised and brought up in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. While his works vary from religious bigotry to many relationships, the roots of his literature are always connected to his experiences as a Dalit man. *“It is inescapable for a Dalit writer to write about his people and the life he has lived.”* is what he said and can anyone blame him? Besides, Dalit literature in India has been considered to have the most renowned and legendary works ever. There lies years worth of oppressed emotions and feelings that have always felt discriminated, tortured and disturbed. 

> Mudnakudu Chinnaswamy introduced a new style of writing to the field of Kannada Dalit-Bandaya Poetry. His first collection of poetry *Kondigalu Matthu Mullubeligalu* was published in 1989.

His poetry doesn't yell of loud anger or a cry for patronized preach, it would rather be decorated with double connotations, sarcasm, irony, allusion, and inversion. Though seemingly eloquent, his words hit you harder than ever, fighting with strength and meaning behind each of them. Chinnaswamy very often makes a strikingly bold play of innuendos, inversion, and irony. Some brilliant works of example can be his *If I Were a Tree* and *Sandals and I.* 

The poems carefully capture the anguish and heartbreaking trauma that a Dalit faces their entire life in cleaning the mess which the "upper" caste people make. Although Dalit literature has gained a lot of attention and momentum since independence, the roots of the problem are still running deeper than any privileged person can imagine. 

> The British-born Venezuelan poet, Professor Rowen Hill, has translated over 47 of Chinnaswamy's poems into Spanish and English. 27 of his poems are even part of many curriculums as demanded by government authorities.

Widely appreciated by many critics, scholars, writers, and poetry lovers, Chinnaswamy's poetry has brought about significant discussions and contemplation among many literary circles. For his exemplary work and remarkable writing, he has also been awarded the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award and Karnataka State Rajyotsava Award as well. 

Years after independence, India hasn't been independent of issues revolving around caste despite the constitution forbidding any discrimination on the grounds of caste, religion, and sex. It is heart-wrenching and sad to see the Hindu society label someone as a 'low' caste while they suffer unjustly. Mudnakudu Chinnaswamy is a living voice for the ones who suffer relentlessly, his words make a difference regardless of how big or small they are. This country is proud to celebrate you as its citizen, hopefully, society becomes a better place for equality to exist as well.

The prevailing caste system, as mighty as it stands today, looking down at people it so proudly calls "untouchables", irks out when words cut open a wound through their bittersweet sharpness. What are these words really? They are not harsh, they are the harsh realities that put up a mirror often too eloquently. 