RELIGIOUS SOLIDARITY IN VANMAM

The objective of this paper is to show the religious solidarity in Bama's Vanmam. Her other novels expose the religious disharmony and conflict between the Dalits and the upper castes. In this novel, Bama finds the futility of internal conflicts among themselves and lays foundation of unity and integrity. The dalits understand that they are victimised on the ground of their disunity. They are disintegrated and segregated in the name of caste and religion. They realize that they cannot get rid of the brand of their caste even after their conversion. Religious fighting and intolerance lead them to nowhere. At last they get to know that religious solidarity is the panacea for their community growth and peaceful living. The text will be analysed in the context of Tamil society and Tamil Dalit Literature.