• Shamsher Singh
• Dr. Naresh Rathee

Abstract: “When I Hid My Caste” is the title story of the anthology containing ten stories in all, written originally in Marathi by Baburao Bagul and translated into English by Jerry Pinto. It is the last story in the mentioned anthology. It is a Dalit short story which explores new dimensions of aesthetics which pave the way to new kind of criticism in the realm of Dalit Literature. There are many Dalits who have hidden their caste identity and have adopted new and fashionable surnames of higher castes. This story is a kind of message and suggestion to those Dalits who are enjoying the respect and honour by adopting pseudo-social status. Later or sooner, if their real identity is revealed, they would face the same consequences as encountered by the anonymous protagonist of the mentioned story. Baburao Bagul’s short story “When I Hid My Caste” would be critically evaluated in the light of traditional Indian aesthetics i.e. Indian rasa theory along some new traits of the aesthetics of Dalit Literature portrayed in the same.

Key-Words: Aesthetics, Untouchable, Dalit, Caste, Hatred, Humanity, Equality.

"A Study of New Aesthetics in 'When I Hid My Caste' by Baburao Bagul ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 5, page no.a216-a224, May-2022, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2205027.pdf

"A Study of New Aesthetics in 'When I Hid My Caste' by Baburao Bagul ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 5, page no. ppa216-a224, May-2022, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2205027.pdf