Sanatan

<i>Sanatan </i>is the gut-wrenching story of Bhimnak Mahar and his ilk who have been subjected to barbaric abuse and inhuman discrimination by the upper castes over centuries. The story begins with the young Bhimnak in pre-Independence India. It then traverses time and geographical boundaries to end with Bhimnak's grandson. The circular narrative pattern is reflective of the endless cycle of pain that the Mahars are unable to break free from no matter how hard they try no matter where they go no matter if they change their identity and religion. Using myths the Puranas and historical texts as resources Sharankumar Limbale rewrites Dalit history in this novel as he attempts to tell the truth with an intention to build what he calls 'a new and progressive social order'. Limbale not just brings his reader face to face with uncomfortable realities he also suggests what could be an alternative social order in the future.