Question

Write a short note on caste practices in novels.

Answer 1

Dear Student,

a. . Novels in India were written in vernacular and created a sense of belonging and identity.
b. Novels brought about people of diverse cultures together. It took a classical language blending it with local language and thus connected people. In India, novels were written in Hindi, Malayalam, and Bengali etc.
c. Novels aimed at social progress and challenged age old customs and traditions. Indian novelists use it as a medium to criticise the defects and flaws of Indian society and contribute towards its progress.
d.Novels depicted imaginary stories to create the interest of the people.
e.They presented a vision of what society ought to be or look like.
f.Novels like Indulekha, portrayed characters who endorsed western beliefs and ideals.
g.The characters belonged the newly english educated class who believed in modern values, culture but at the same time rooted in their traditions.
h.The novel challenged the feudal order, caste rigidities, Brahminical dominance and polygamy.
i.The novel was the first modern novel in Malyalam, written by Chandu Menon who gave up translating english novels, and wrote in Malyalam, so that people in India could identify with.
j.We may witness similar case, with Kandukuri who later wrote a novel in Telugu.
k. The issue of caste was spoken by the novelists by their imaginary stories which sought to attack Brahminical supremacy.
l. Potheri Kunjambu, a lower caste writer wrote Saraswativijayam which was based on caste oppression which highlights the issue of untouchability and the need for education for the upliftment of lower castes.
m. Novels like Titash Ekti Nadir Naam depicted the plight of the peasants and the low castes.

Regards