Significance of Using Myth in The Novel Kanthapura. ( My Assignment )

Name : Solanki Pratiksha M.
Roll No : 26
Sem : 1 ( 2013 -2015 )
Paper Name : Indian Writing in English
Subject : Significance of Using Myth in The Novel Kanthapura.
Submitted to : SMT. S.B. Gardi
                        Dept. of English
                        M.K.Bhavnagar University
                        pratikshasolanki068@gmail.com



 

About Raja Rao :

     Raja Rao was born in 8th November, 1908 and Died: 8th July, 2006. He was an Indian writer and his works are related with Hinduism. He writes many novels and stories. He was born in very beautiful town, Hassana. "Raja Rao is one of those enigmatic writers whose novels have been received with wholehearted. Rao is a powerful writer and All of Raja Rao's novels explore philosophical concepts. 

      
His Notable Works:

1. Kanthapura ( 1938 )
2. The Serpent and The Rope. ( 1960 )

     The Serpent and The Rope is semi-autobiographical novel and it is search for spiritual truth in Europe and India.

Kanthapura (Summary) :

     "Kanthapura" is the story of a village in South India. Name of the village is Kanthapura.Village is the main part of the story. The novel is narrated in the form of a "Sthalapurana" by an old woman of the village , Achakka. Kanthapura is a traditional caste in Indian village , which is away from all modern ways of living. In this village we see the clear discrimination between Brahmin, Sudra and Parihas. In this village all villagers are protected by a local Deity, named Kenchamma.

     The main character of the novel Moorthy , is a Brahmin who discoverd a half buried " Linga " in the village and than he dig it out and installed it in the village and after this Temple became a central point of the village. All festivals are celebrated in this Temple. Novel begins when Moorthy followed Gandhian Idea and spirit. He discarded foreign clothes. After his mother's death Moorthy starts living with Rangamma, who took part in India's struggle for freedom and Moorthy also participated and tries to save villagers. Moorthy continued his fighting against injustice. but,, after than Moorthy was arrested by Foreigner people.

     Thus.. at the end of the novel.., It is mentioned that people of the village were settled in Kashipur and Kanthapura occupied by people from Bombay.

Myth :

Myth is always comes from past. It is one type of story that may or may not be true. So may be Myth have started as a "Truth" but as people re-told them, than they may have changed some parts, so they are less "True". All culture and people have developed their own Mythology. Myth always related with Ideal, Truth, and Real World. Myth is the ideal world where people blindly believe and follow.

Myth always tells individual story, early history of people, social background, supernatural beings or events.

Using Myth in Kanthapura :

     Myth is one type of particular device that introduce cultural background and historical movement. Kanthapura - Novel is the Recreation of myth. In Kanthapura, Raja Rao is using effective mythical techniques. In this novel represent the movement of freedom in India, " Harikathas ", Brahman, Sudra, Parihas, and Life of Villagers, they believe in deity, and all those things are talks about Religion matter, spirituality, Caste prejudices, and Mythical techniques. At first narrator introduce the village where we can see the symbol of religion or Myth.

" Our Village,- I don't think you have ever heard about it-

Kanthapura is its name and it is in the province of Kara.

I shall be honest, there is no need to be

otherwise i don't know,

If you've heard of a Bilva-Tree- It has three leaves

and a crust of thick horns.. "

     Kanthapura shares certain narrative techniques with Puranas. The story is told rapidly, all in one breath, by a village grandmother and the style reflects the oral heritage also represent the Harikatha... Its the story of Myth where Gandhi's struggle for Independence from the Britisher, who came to a typical village. Rao himself states that it is impossible to separate reality from orthodox Advaita Vedanta. It sketches the step by step social development of a South Indian Village Kanthapura. The Goddess- villagers have great faith, named Kenchamma. It shows that sometimes people blindly followed and believe in the Myth. In the Village we see the one temple and this temple is most important for villagers. In this temple- "Harikathas" narrated by Jayaramachar and many Kathas based on Gandhian Ideas. So we can see that, The theme of Kanthapura is the continuity of Indian traditions in the novel. In kanthapura - it shows strains of myth, Gods and Goddess.

     In this novel , it is a beautiful small village of people who still belongs to the old world of superstition. Here the structure of the village where people follow religion and myth. Raja Rao use Indian sensibility, tradition myth, mysticism, religion, techniques in the novel. Raja Rao uses mythical character, situation etc. Raja Rao writes that...

"There is no village in India, however mean,

that has not a rich " Sthalapurana" , or

legendary history of its own.

Some God or God like hero has passed by the village-

Rama might have doing things..."

All those things are represent the theme of Myth in Kanthapura. When " Harikathas" told by Jayaramachar. He compares Gandhi to Lord Shiva when he says Siva is the three - eyed, Swaraj is three eye. Mohan being one of the names of Krishna as Gandhi's full name , Mohandas Karamchand , gives Jayaramachar- the idea of achievement. Just as the God as a young boy slays the serpent Kali. Same we compares that Gabdhi goes from village to village slaying the serpent of foreign rule.
Again just as Krishna teaches Arjuna the wisdom of how to be a true man of action. Same Gandhi teaches Moorthy how to be a true Satyagrahi. All things shows that Raja Rao is beautifully represents Myth in this novel.

Conclusion :

     Thus.. Myth-is properly used by Raja Rao in this novel. Similar people, Village as a object, Concepts of Myth, patterned etc.. all those things are using in appropriate way. Very beautifully Jayaramachar describes myth and the glory of Bharata.. Whole things creates uniqueness in this novel and with the help of myth people easily understand the real meaning of "Swaraj", "Independence", and "Concept of change" and all."Kanthapura"- this novel is the recreation of Myth.

    In This novel Raja Rao represents Indian experiance through the foreign medium of the English language. He uses different style, instruments, and diction that achieve a balance between the emotional quality of the Indian experience and its expression in intellectual terms.

"Myths can't be translated as,

they did in their ancient soil.

We can only find our

own meaning in our time. "

Thank you..!