Mysore/Mysuru: Maintaining that an autobiography is not limited just to its author but to the entire community, noted critic Dr. Narahalli Balasubramanya said that renowned writer Dr. Aravind Malagatti’s works have the essence of transforming the society.

He was speaking after releasing Dr. Malagatti’s autobiography ‘Neevoo Devaragi’ (You also become a God) at a programme jointly organised by Ladaayi Prakashana, Gadag Balaga and Mysuru Geleyara Balaga at the Institution of Engineers-India (IEI) on JLB Road on Sunday.

Maintaining that ‘Neevoo Devaragi’ was not just an autobiography of the writer, but the autobiography of an entire community, Dr. Narahalli Balasubramanya said that both the autobiographies of Dr. Aravind Malagatti — ‘Neevoo Devaragi’ and ‘Government Brahmin’ — have the rare essence of societal transformation.  Noting that Dr. Malagatti’s first autobiography ‘Government Brahmin,’ which was published in 1994, has the distinction of becoming the first Dalit autobiography in Kannada, he said that his second autobiography ‘Neevoo Devaragi’ read together, makes the reader feel that they are the autobiography of an entire community.

Pointing out that Dr. Malagatti has been working in the literary field for about four decades, he said that it is essential to debate Dr. Malagatti’s works on a different standing as these works have a distinctive voice of venting out anger against discrimination of oppressed sections of the society.

Writer Dr. Aravind Malagatti, in his address, said that an autobiography is a vital tool for transformation of the society. Asserting that an autobiography does not essentially contain all that is seen in life, he said that his two autobiographies have a close resemblance of Dalit practices, culture and customs.

Dr. B.C. Doddegowda, Padmashri and Shabana each read out a chapter from the released autobiography while Dr. Rajashekar G. Mathapathi (Ragam) spoke about the work. Former KIKS (Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies) Director Dr. Neelagiri M. Talwar, Publisher Basoo and others were present.