Arul Little Snita S
Author
Reg No: 241112702034
Research Scholar
Email: littlesnita@gmail.com
Department of English, St. John’s College, Palayamkottai
(Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli – 627012)
Abstract
Community dwelling happens on urban extension. Urbanization relies on displacement of human settlements. These intricate patterns 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, Mukunda 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, revolving around settlement anticipation in the mind of Mukunda over sustainability in modern urbanism.
Keywords: Displacement, Literate, Urbanism, Settlement
The induced displacement overshadowed Mukunda with an anticipation of 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 landlords.
Urban extension begins with displacement under which township strives. Urban extension later progresses by acquiring land, followed by displacing the people who thrived in its terrain. The age-long occupation and agricultural practices are abruptly brought to an end by 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 an urbanized region. On the contrary, it is ruled by royals in the name of king and queen. The rule of royals assures the stature of social power. This social power signifies dignity and recognition among community dwellers. Ararha is a township extended over forest land inhabited by Shabars, the hunter tribes.
These revelations of dwelling bring Mukunda to a forefront of reality in an ironical state of settlement. The revelations are perceived in modernist form. The forest land is encroached upon 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—an anticipation of sustainable settlement. The place of Ararha assures a livelihood for settlers who have endured a wide range of displacements. On a reflective level, Ararha itself is a place that has destroyed the natural land—namely, forest lands. The Shabars, hunter tribes, are the natives of the forest. They lead a livelihood depending on forests and their by-products. These products are further traded by the Shabars in the local community of Ararha.
Displacement is a favourable aspect for human settlers while it acts as a burden through the destruction of the natural environment, including forest land. Literacy advocates for educating people to read and write and to reproduce these skills in a vital manner. Shabars, the hunter tribes, are not convinced to appeal toward becoming literate individuals. As hunters, the world of literacy is a far-fetched concept to the Shabars.
Urbanism supports the concept of prosperity and the notion of independent survival. However, by executing acceptance towards the royal system of hierarchical rule, the essence of independence is least advocated in practical form. Being a literate person earns a settlement which is further assured through dependence in urban extension. On parallel grounds, the natives of forest land—the Shabars—lead their livelihood independently. The concept of independence is innate in their sustained settlement.
Urban dwellers become encroachers of forest land. The settlers of Daminya are considered wanderers, whose settlements were induced to undergo displacement. These settlers attained settlement in relation to peasantry occupation. A literate individual strives hard for livelihood, which has demanded the occupation of an agrarian from the same individual. As a dignified person, literacy is sufficient to attain a social power structure. Displacement has evidently positioned the literate individual into a deserving state. However, existence is again proved to be an unsettling state as forest land is encroached.
Mukunda’s thought structure is predominantly filled with anticipation about the ironical state of dwelling. Displacement assures urban extension of dwelling with the destruction of forest land. The necessity of literacy acts as a progressive element to enrich a literate individual and to attain the social power of supremacy. The displaced individuals acquire a recognized status owing to literacy, while the natives of the forest land hold the status of outcasts. These realities have sprung from deep anticipation in Mukunda, compelling him to pen down an epic in a productive manner.
Reference
Devi, Mahasweta. The Book of the Hunter.