Assignment: Kanthapura as Gandhian Epic

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Kanthapura as a Gandhian Epic

    Prepared by: Richa Pandya

     M.A. English Semester – 1

     Roll no- 3

     Enrlment No: – 20691084201900

     Email id: richapandya163@gmail.com

Batch: 2018- 20

 submitted to: S. B. Gardi Department of         English,  MKBU

 Paper no-4 Indian Writing in English (pre-Independence)

Topic: Kanthapura as a Gandhian Epic

Introduction

            
     Kanthapura written by ‘Raja Rao’. Hewas an Indian writer of English-language novels and short stories, whose works are deeply rooted in Metaphysics. He

established him as one of the finest Indian prose stylists and won him the Sahitya Akademic Award in 1964. He is seen as a varied and significant contribution to Indian English literature, as well as World literature as a whole. In his involvement in the nationalist movement is reflected in his first two books.  Rao returned to the theme of Gandhism in the short story collection The Cow of the Barricades . The work dramatised the relationships between Indian and Western culture. In 1998 he published Gandhi's biography Great Indian Way: A Life of Mahatma Gandhi. Raja Rao's first and best-known novel, Kanthapura, is the story of a south Indian village named Kanthapura. His famous works,

Kanthapura
The Cow of the Barricades and Other Stories.
The Serpent and the Rope 
The Cat and Shakespeare: A Tale of India
Comrade Kirillov
The Policeman and the Rose: Stories
The Chessmaster and His Moves
On the Ganga Ghat 

  

Kanthapura as a Gandhian Epic

  Raja Rao’s first novel, Kanthapura, published in 1938. Mainly portrays freedom movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in the 1920s to liberate India from the imperialistic hegemony of the British.  Raja Rao supported the ideas of Gandhi thus Kanthapura as a political novel is totally influenced by the principles of Gandhi. India’s struggle for Independence, with its powerful impact on Indian sensibility, forms the nucleus of the novel. Some critics opine that does not revel the author’s characteristic metaphysical quest for truth – a motif which looms large in his later fiction. The story is narrated in flashback by Achakka, a wise woman in the village. She, like her female audience (whom she addresses as “sisters”), has survived the turbulence of social and political change which was induced by Mohandas K. Gandhi’s passive resistance against the British government. Hence, it is not surprising if he refers to the impact of Vedanta on some of the character in Kanthapura. In the beginning of the novel, we come to know about the structure of village. In the early phase of his life, Raja Rao was influenced by the Gandhian thought which was one of the most challenging Philosophies of the era. In this novel, Gandhi touched the innermost part of Bakha’s soul, and audience at the village Gathering feels that mahatma has made Hindu and Muslim one.           

       As an advocate of Gandhian Philosophy, Raja Rao believes that “The future of the world is in Gandhism. Moorthy the protagonist of the novel. He was a Brahmin. After his study after being influenced by the Gandhian Philosophy by going through different pamphlets and newspapers.  we don’t see Gandhi in actual but in his ideology and principles in the novel and Moorthy is the avatar of Gandhi. Moorthy’s belief in the divine efficaciousness of Gandhism point to raja rao’s great interest in this philosophy. Moorthy acquires spiritual strength in his very first meeting with Gandhi. Raja Rao’s Fascination for Gandhism is reflected in his affirmation of gandhian Principles of non-violence, love of mankind and abolition of untouchability. Moorthy after adopting the Gandhian Ideology gives up his studies in the city and returns back to his village. He gives up foreign clothes and goods and wears hand-woven Khaddar. He encourages the people of his village to use native things and become independent of foreign goods. His resolve to go on fast because much violence has taken place reflect his belief in non-violence. In order to encourage the concept of ‘Swaraj’ or ‘home rule,’ he visits each house and distributes free Charkhas so that every person of his village may become a part of the struggle. He explains the Gandhian principles and encourages them to follow the same. Moorthy try to convince him with the Gandhian principles of non-violence and love for the enemy. Moorthy’s statement that he is just “a pebble among the pebble of the river, and when the floods come, rock by rock may lie buried under” (p.180)       

      He proves his words when after being sentenced jail, he refuses to release on bail. He tells the lawyer that if he held the weapon of truth firmly no power on earth will be able to harm him. In spite of the threats of ex-communication from, he takes an active part in the struggle against untouchability and visits a Pariah’s house where he is treated as God.  But this should also be noted that he feels extreme discomfort and fife there and on returning back, he takes a religious bath for purification. Thus in real, he accepts untouchability in spite of his struggle against it. Gandhi believed that women help is crucial for the struggle, hence he tried to get the support of women as well.  While Kenchamma and Siva are remembered for their marvellous feats and interventions in human affairs, analogies are sometimes drawn with contemporary figures such as Gandhi who serve to turn fact and history into folklore, and who provide the motive for political struggle. At the beginning, while there are simply rumours of Gandhi’s activities, the villagers follow their customary routines Similarly, Moorthy seeks the help of Kanchamma, a rich educated widow of his village. Kanchamma fully supports Moorthy as well as Gandhian Ideology. When Moorthy is behind the bars, she establishes the Women’s Volunteer Corps. The women after being influenced by her words, take an active part in the struggle. They are molested, raped and even beaten but they don’t lose hope.as an advocate of Gandhian philosophy, raja rao believes that “the future of the world is in Gandhism.  Moorthy’s belief in the divine efficaciousness of Gandhism point to raja rao’s great intrest in this philosophy.

The fact that Moorthy seeks self-realization after a glimpse of the godly Mahatma evinces his faith in gandhism. 

 Conclusion

   It is the Gandhian Ideology which makes the plot of the novel to develop and not Gandhi himself. As Gandhi influences the politics at the national level, Moorthy becomes the Gandhi of Kanthapura and does the same things. Thus Kanthapura is a mini-nation with a Gandhi of itself Moorthy. We can say that Knathapura as a ‘Gandhian Epic’