Ooru Keri

Ooru Keri is an autobiography written by Dr. Siddalingaiah, a Dalit writer, poet, folklorist, and former member of the Karnataka Legislative Council. The book was published in 1996 and is written in Kannada. It has since been translated into English, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu. The book is a series of short stories that document Siddalingaiah`s life from childhood to the beginning of his adult career. It chronicles his struggles with poverty, the atrocities of the Indian caste system, and how he found self-empowerment through education and his writings. The book is known for its calm and meditative tone, which contrasts with the anger that is often present in Siddalingaiah`s poetry. It also shows how Siddalingaiah used his writing to protest injustice and affirm Dalit self-respect.