Abstract:
Community dwelling happens on urban extension. Urbanization relies on displacement of human settlements. These intricate pattern of settlement lead to modern urbanization. The character Mukunda in the novel The Book of the Hunter by Mahasweta Devi depicts an instinctive notion to write an epic on an inappropriate interval. Owing to induced displacement, Munkunda has constructive thoughts to accomplish the epic about his endurances for settlement in a marginalized region. The paper attempts to depict the events that possibly accumulate in the epic revolve around settlement anticipation in the mind of Mukunda over sustainability in modern urbanism.
Key words: Displacement, Literate, Urbanism, Settlement
The induced displacement overshadowed Mukunda with an anticipation on sustainable settlement. Mukunda as a literate person encounters displacement for settlement from Daminya to Ararha. Foregoing any second thoughts, Raja Bankura Roy, the king positioned Mukunda as a mentor to his son. The endorsement of literate individuals is a sign of urbanism. Even then Mukunda is consistently struck with thoughts to write an epic. Daminya is a place ruled by estate owners namely as landlords.
Urban extension begins with displacement under which strives township. Urban extension later, progresses with acquiring land followed by displacing the people who thrived in its land. The age long occupation and agricultural practices are abruptly put an end with urban activities. In this way, it acts as a zone of comfort for naïve dwellers. Mukunda settled in Ararha with utmost honour as a literate. Ararha again is a reflection of urbanized region, on contrary it is ruled by royals in the name of king and queen. The rule of royals assures the statue of social power. The social power signifies the dignity and recognition among community dwellers. Ararha region is a township which has extended over forestland inhabited by Shabars, the hunter tribes.
These revelations of dwelling bring Mukunda to a forefront of reality in ironical state of settlement. The revelations are perceived in modernist form. The forest land is encroached in the name of urban extension. These aspects form an instinctive notion for Mukunda to write an epic. This is a concealed thought of Mukunda on anticipation of sustainable settlement. The place of Ararha assures a livelihood for settlers who have endured a widest range of displacement. On a reflective level, Ararha itself is a place that has destroyed the natural land namely forest lands. Shabars, the hunter tribes are the natives of forest land. They lead a livelihood depending on forests and it by- products. These products are further traded by Shabars on local community of Ararha.
Displacement is a favourable aspect for human settlers while it acts as a burden on destruction of natural environment including forest land. Literacy advocates on educating people to read and write and to reproduce the skills in a vital manner. Shabars, the hunter tribes are no way convinced to appeal towards becoming a literate individual. The natives of forest land, Shabars are tribes who lead their dwelling on hunting animals. As hunters, the world of literacy is a far ahead concept to Shabars.
Urbanism supports the concept of prosperity and the notion of an independent survival. With executing the acceptance towards Royal system of hierarchy rule, the essence of independence is least advocated on practical form. Being a literate person earns a settlement which is further assured on dependence in the urban extension. On the parallel grounds, the natives of forest land, Shabars as tribes lead their livelihood on independence. The concept of independence is innate in their sustained settlement.
Urban dwellers become encroachers of forest land. The settlers of Daminya are considered as wanderers, whose settlements were induced to undergo a displacement. These settlers attained settlement in relevance with peasantry occupation. Literate individual thrives hard for livelihood which has demanded the occupation as an agrarian from the same individual. As a dignified individual, literacy is sufficient to attain social power structure. The displacement has evidently positioned literate individual to deserved state. However, existence is again proved as an unsettling state as forest land is encroached.
Mukunda’s thought structure is predominant with anticipation of ironical state of dwelling. Displacement assures urban extension of dwelling with the destruction of forest land. The necessity of literacy acts as a progressive one to enrich a literate individual to attain social power of supremacy. The displaced individuals acquire recognized state owing to literacy while the native of forestland hold a state as an outcast. These realities have sprung as deep down anticipation in Mukunda so as to pen down an epic in a productive manner.
Reference:
Devi, Mahasweta. The Book of the Hunter.
Arul Little Snita S is a Research Scholar in the Department of English at St. John’s College, Palayamkottai, affiliated with Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli. She is currently pursuing her doctoral studies under the guidance of Dr. B. Beneson Thilagar Christadoss, with a research focus that delves into themes related to nature and animals in English literature. An ardent nature enthusiast, her academic pursuits are deeply intertwined with her passion for the environment, reflecting her commitment to exploring the intricate connections between literature and the natural world. In addition to her scholarly endeavors, she is an avid reader who finds great inspiration in the richness of language and its ability to convey the profound beauty of ecology. Her work seeks to bridge the realms of literary analysis and environmental awareness, contributing meaningfully to both fields.