• Dr.S.S.KAVITHA

This paper discusses the idea of honour killings and sexist mentality towards women in the novella Pethavan by Imayam which has been translated as The Begetter by Gita Subramanian. The paper analyses the caste discrimination and violence against women for the sake of caste chastity which results in the exploitation of Dalits. In Tamil Nadu, many deaths related to honour killing and caste exploitation go unreported or passed off as suicides. Social fiction writers like Imayam have excited the conscience of the general population to understand the tribulations brought about by the terrible social dissimilarities and exploitations. He has reacted sufficiently to the interest of removal of the painful desolations of the socially low-born and low-placed into the world. Imayam makes it a point to make his writings as social eye openers. Caste pride and considering women as assets are the prime factors behind honour killings. Often, these killings are committed on the fact that women are considered as preserver of the virtue of genealogy. As indicated by Imayam, intermediate communities cannot digest the idea of exchanging their progeny to other downtrodden communities through their women. For this reason, men resort to viciousness when their women fall for Dalit men, yet would not fret their men wedding a Dalit woman. The novella Pethavan (The Begetter) will shake the grounds of disbelief, and influence one to understand the barbarities that are committed in our society. Indian culture is caught up with bragging about the enormous change and advancement in the public eye. This purportedly clears a path for fairness and helping individuals move past rank personalities. Imayam highlights by portraying a stunning story of individuals caught inside the pointed barbed wires of caste pride and honour killing.

Caste pride, caste purity, The Begetter, Pethavan, honour killings

"Emasculating Caste: Honour killings as portrayed in Pethavan (The Begetter)", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 4, page no.137-145, April-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1904H29.pdf

"Emasculating Caste: Honour killings as portrayed in Pethavan (The Begetter)", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 4, page no. pp137-145, April-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1904H29.pdf