Acknowledgements

To Prof.K Satchidanandan, Secretary, Sahitya Akademy who first introduced me as an English translator in Indian Literature. Without his unreserved help and encouragement and the special interest he has shown in Gujarati Dalit writing this collection would not have been possible.

To my friends and well-wishers in the Gujarati Dalit Literary Movement whose affection for me and enthusiasm for helping me in my work have overwhelmed me.

To Dr. E.V. Ramakrishnan who gave me timely help and valuable advice.

To Sahity Akademy and Indian Literature for permission to reproduce materials published in its special issue of January-February,1994,devoted to Gujarati Dalit writing.

To Harish Mangalam for persuading the publishers to take up Ekalavyas with Thumbs.

To several friends and colleagues who helped me with the translation, especially Piyush Joshi, Ibrahim Patel, Vasubha Kulshreshta and Manojkumar Bhavsar.

                                                                                                                                       
K.M.Sherrif