Striving to be in the Mainstream: Maitreyi Pushpa’s elegiac portrayal of the Kabutara Community in Alma Kabutari

Abstract

Abstract

The present paper seeks to examine a Hindi novel and explore the power politics prevalent in society along the yardstick of caste wherein the marginalized kabutara community ? a group identified as a criminal? tribe during colonial times has to undergo tremendous suffering and oppression at the hands of the upper-caste Kajjas. Further, the paper tries to explore the feasibility of (re)defining the relations between the two groups from that of oppressor-oppressed to that of mutual respect and trust. The declaration of Nehru comes as a welcome sigh of relief for some forward-looking Kabutaras. However, the ground reality does not change overnight leading to atrocities and the resultant disillusionment. Alma, the daughter of Ram SinghKabutara, who unlike other Kabutara women is educated, successfully uses education as a tool of emancipation.She emerges as the quintessence of nobler human virtues of perseverance and forgiveness showing magnanimity even towards the oppressors.