About the Book: Gangrene: Punjabi Dalit Short Stories
In percentage terms, Punjab has the highest Dalit population in India (around
30 per cent of its population). But inspite of that, Punjabi Dalit writing has
struggled to find recognition. Initial writings about Dalit issues were largely
by the stalwarts of Punjabi literature like Nanak Singh, Gurbaksh Singh
Preetlari, Kulwant Singh Virk and Gurdial Singh. Since the 1970s though, Punjabi
Dalit writing has undergone a shift in consciousness with the emergence of
Attarjit, among the earliest Dalit writers to make a mark. Soon, others like
Prem Gorkhi, Mohan Lal Phillauria, and Bhagwant Rasulpuri emerged. Gangrene is
an attempt