Representation of the Minority Voice in Aahuti’s Dalan

Abstract

This research is about Dalit in Aahuti’s Dalan. The televised serial portrays minority voices along with the national changing scenario. Dalan represents the minority condition since 1951 to 1996, that is from the end of Rana Regime to the time when Maoists in Nepal lifted up the arms to ensure the marginal voice. The tele-serial written by Biswabhakta Dulal aka Aahuti was produced by Jagaran Media Center in Kathmandu. Through the visual, Dalan not only projects the discriminatory position of Nepalese society but also provides future perspectives on how marginal voice should be addressed. As country shifts in its political paradigm with growing voice for minority; the serial Dalan also demands access to all Dalits in political spectrum that opens the door to representation in state mechanism. The tele-serial broadcasted by Nepal Television, the state owned television only after the Maoist who previously claimed to be pro-marginal emerged as state power. It was popularly watched by Dalits and non-Dalits. The research brings Facoult’s notion of power relationship through discourse. According to Facoult, discourse creates truth and the truth leads to power and the power ensures the representation. Similarly, Gramsci talks about hegemony. Here, Gramsci’s theory is relevant because the Dalits were under hegemonic condition as they were supposed to feel inferior and not able to foreground their voices on themselves during the time in Nepal. Hence, the research on Aahuti’s Dalan accounts the marginal and suppressed voice of Nepal, the Dalits in particular. This has not only helped marginal representation but also provided legal security through representation in state mechanism.