Name :- Aarti Bhupatbhai Sarvaiya
Roll No :- 01
Enrollment No :- 4069206420220027
Sem :- 4(M.A.)
Batch :- 2022-2024
Paper No. :- 210(A)
Paper Code :- 22417
Paper Name :- Research Project Writing: Dissertation Writing
Submitted to :- Smt. S. B. Gardi, Department of English,M.K.B.U.
Dated on :- 25 April , 2024
Email :- aartisarvaiya7010@gmail.com
Conclusion and Bibliography of My Dissertation
Title Of My Dissertation :-
From Kurukshetra to Contemporary India: An Analysis of Mythical Elements in Tharoor's ‘The Great Indian Novel’
Conclusion :-
In Shashi Tharoor's literary masterpiece, "The Great Indian Novel," the ancient epic of the Mahabharata is woven into the fabric of modern Indian history, creating a rich narrative that explores the complexities, paradoxes, and enduring struggles that have defined the nation's cultural and political evolution. Through his ingenious interweaving of myth and reality, Tharoor crafts a profound meditation on the cyclical nature of existence, the eternal quest for truth and justice, and the intricate dynamics of power that have shaped India's collective consciousness across millennia.
At the heart of Tharoor's ambitious undertaking lies a daring fusion of literary forms, where the conventions of postmodern historiography are seamlessly blended with the timeless traditions of Indian storytelling. By employing the archetypal characters and narratives of the Mahabharata as allegorical representations of contemporary historical figures and events, Tharoor subverts the linear, Eurocentric notions of progress and modernity that have long dominated Western historiography. Instead, he invites readers to embrace a cyclical, ever-evolving interpretation of history – one that resonates profoundly with the philosophical and cosmological underpinnings of Indian thought.
Through this innovative narrative lens, Tharoor deconstructs the hagiographic depictions and monolithic narratives that have often obscured the complexities and contradictions inherent in India's socio-political landscape. His satirical and irreverent portrayals of revered figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Indira Gandhi challenge the cult of personality and hero-worship that has permeated Indian politics, exposing the hypocrisies, moral ambiguities, and unintended consequences that have shaped the nation's trajectory.
Tharoor's masterful characterizations, which map mythological archetypes onto modern political personalities, serve as powerful vehicles for interrogating the nuances of power, ethics, and democratic ideals in contemporary India. The pivotal characterization of Indira Gandhi as the complex antiheroine Priya Duryodhani, for instance, offers a searing critique of her authoritarian tendencies and the erosion of democratic values during her Emergency rule. Through this symbolic representation, Tharoor invites readers to confront the paradoxes of power and the fragility of democratic institutions, ultimately serving as a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked ambition and the enduring struggle for justice and freedom.
Yet, Tharoor's narrative is not merely a scathing indictment of political failings; it is also a profound exploration of the enduring relevance of ancient Indian epics and the timeless wisdom they impart. By reclaiming and reinvigorating these mythological narratives, Tharoor pays homage to India's rich cultural heritage and the multivocal traditions that have shaped its collective identity. His innovative approach challenges the conventional boundaries between history and myth, inviting readers to embrace the multifaceted nature of truth and the subjective lenses through which we interpret and narrate the human experience.
Tharoor's deft employment of literary techniques such as satire, parody, and Menippean satire further enriches the narrative, imbuing it with wit, social commentary, and a delightfully irreverent tone. His playful subversion of traditional gender roles and patriarchal power structures, particularly in his reinterpretation of female characters like Draupadi and Kunti, offers a refreshing feminist perspective that challenges deep-rooted societal norms and hierarchies.
Through this multifaceted exploration of myth, history, and socio-political critique, "The Great Indian Novel" emerges as a poignant reflection on the enduring quest for meaning, justice, and national identity in a rapidly changing world. Tharoor's masterful synthesis of past and present, ancient wisdom and contemporary struggles, invites readers to ponder the cyclical nature of existence and the persisting tensions between tradition and modernity that have shaped India's collective consciousness.
In this profound literary achievement, Tharoor not only reclaims India's historical narratives through the lens of its own storytelling traditions but also offers a nuanced and thought-provoking commentary on the complexities of power, democracy, and the human condition. His novel stands as a testament to the transformative power of literature and its ability to transcend boundaries, challenge conventional narratives, and offer a uniquely Indian perspective on the nation's past, present, and collective aspirations.
Ultimately, "The Great Indian Novel" is a work of staggering ambition and scope, a literary tour de force that demands active engagement and a willingness to embrace the multivocal, pluralistic nature of truth. Tharoor's masterful blending of myth, satire, and history creates a narrative tapestry that resonates with echoes of ancient wisdom and contemporary struggles, inviting readers to embark on a transformative journey through the annals of Indian civilization.
In this epic narrative, the timeless themes of dharma, righteousness, and the pursuit of justice emerge as enduring beacons, illuminating the profound paradoxes and contradictions that have defined India's socio-political landscape. Tharoor's novel serves as a potent reminder that the quest for truth and ethical conduct is an ever-evolving, cyclical journey – one that demands constant vigilance, self-reflection, and a willingness to confront the complexities of human nature and the intricate dynamics of power that shape our collective destinies.
As readers navigate the rich symbolic terrain of "The Great Indian Novel," they are invited to embrace the multifaceted nature of Indian identity, to celebrate the country's vibrant pluralism, and to acknowledge the enduring relevance of its ancient storytelling traditions in shaping contemporary discourses. Through this immersive literary experience, Tharoor challenges us to confront our preconceptions, to interrogate the narratives that have been handed down to us, and to embrace a more nuanced, pluralistic understanding of India's past, present, and future.
In the end, Tharoor's masterpiece stands as a testament to the enduring power of literature to transform our perceptions, to bridge the divide between myth and reality, and to offer a uniquely Indian voice in the global discourse on history, identity, and the human condition. "The Great Indian Novel" is not merely a literary achievement; it is a clarion call to reclaim and reinterpret India's cultural heritage, to confront the paradoxes and complexities that have shaped its collective consciousness, and to embrace the eternal quest for truth, justice, and a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.
Bibliography :-
Primary Source :
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Tharoor, Shashi. The Great Indian Novel. Penguin Books, 2014.
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