Portrayal of Tangkhul Naga Society in Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya’s Love in the Time of Insurgency

Abstract

Love in the Time of Insurgency (2005) was initially published in Assamese under title Yaruingam in 1960 by veteran Assamese novelist Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya. The backdrop of the novel is the Tangkhul Naga society during the time of Japanese invasion in Naga Hills and immediately after the Independence of India. The tragic picture of social life during the Second World War is portrayed here vividly. While depicting the scenario of violence and bloodshed the novelist does not forget to make an overall sketch of Naga society including their general characteristics, food habits, law and justice, festivals, rituals, religion and the condition of women of this particular region of Northeast India. The present paper is a socio-cultural study of Tangkhul Naga society with the help of the evidences that are reflected in the novel.