Raja Rao's historical novel, Kantapura | summary and characters
Are you looking for "Kantapura Novel Summary"? Raja Rao, in his novel, “Kantapura”, presents the lively glimpse of Indian freedom struggle, Gandhism, casteism and rural India. This article is not only helpful for students in exam, but is also very useful for literature lovers. Here you will find a detailed summary of “Kantapura”, details of main characters, and historical background in an easy language. Read and learn how a small village becomes a symbol of India's independence movement.
Introduction to Raja Rao's novel "Kantapura"
Raja Rao's novel "Kantapura" is considered an important and historical work of Indian English literature. The novel was first published in 1938 and presented the era of Indian freedom struggle in the backdrop of a South Indian village. While reading this novel, it seems as if we are watching India's freedom struggle with the eyes of the village.
Historical Background:
When "Kantapura" was written, India was under British rule. A fight for independence was going on all over the country under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji's non -violence, Satyagraha and Swadeshi movement had a new hope and enthusiasm in the hearts of the people. This novel reflects the political and social awareness happening in the villages of the same time.
Brief introduction of the novel:
"Kantapura" is the story of a fictional village, which an old woman narrates a small. She describes the religious, social and political life of the village. A young leader in the village comes to Mohan, who is inspired by Gandhiji's thoughts and inspires the people of the village to join the freedom struggle.
This novel shows how a calm and religious village comes under the influence of Gandhiji's ideas and becomes part of the freedom movement. The people of the village perform Satyagraha against the British government, go to jail, suffer suffering, but do not give up.
Language and Style:
Raja Rao has written the novel in English, but he has kept Indian culture, language and emotions completely alive. Indian myths, stories of deities, and many elements of folk life are seen in the novel.
Major characters of "Kantapura"
1. Achakka
Role: The main story of the story is Narrator.
Nature: Old, religious and traditionalist women.
Specialty: She knows every small and big thing in the village and readers see all the events from the same point of view.
Importance: His words clearly reveal the culture of the village, the worship of the goddess, traditions and social changes.
2. Mohan
Role: Protagonist is the protagonist.
Inspiration: Inspired by the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi - such as non -violence, indigenous, opposition to untouchability.
Work: Spread awareness in the village, oppose untouchability, and motivates people to participate in the freedom movement.
Importance: He brings political and social revolution in the village.
3. Narsamma
Role: Mohan's mother.
Nature: Woman with traditional thoughts.
Importance: Mohan does not agree with Gandhian ideas and finally removes it from the house.
4. Bhadramma
Role: Mohan's supporter and a young woman of freedom movement.
Nature: Fearless and ready to bring changes in society.
Importance: The role of women shows how she too started participating in the freedom struggle.
5. Rangamma
Role: An educated woman from the village.
Specialty: She is inspired by Gandhiji's ideology and inspires women to participate in the movement.
Importance: Represents the awareness and participation of women.
6. Patwari
Role: Local employee of British Government.
Nature: The British loyal and threatening the villagers.
Importance: A symbol of the oppressive policies of governance.
7. Badeswami
Role: A religious leader of the village.
Nature: Fundamental supporters of traditions.
Importance: Religious hypocrisy and Brahminism represents in society.
8. Seth Dharamdas
Role: A businessman who lives with the British.
Importance: A symbol of Indians who have connivance with the British.
All these characters of "Kantapura" together show the soul of a village; where the spirit of tradition, religion, politics and freedom collide with each other. Each and every character has its own importance, and everyone together show how even a small village can become a part of a large picture of freedom movement.
Raja Rao's "Kantapura" - detailed summary
Raja Rao's famous novel "Kantapura" is an important composition based on the background of the Indian freedom struggle. This novel was written in English in 1938, but its soul is completely Indian. The story of this novel is of a fictional South Indian village "Kantapura", where the feelings of tradition, religion, casteism and freedom fight together. Raja Rao has shown through this novel how the rural society of India gradually started participating in the freedom struggle after being influenced by Gandhiji's ideas.
Beginning of the novel:
The novel begins by an old woman in the village, Achkka. She narrates the whole story and introduces the readers to the traditions of the village, religious life, goddess-worship and social structure. Achkka's approach is very Indian, which gives us a lively experience of the atmosphere of the village.
Kantapura is a village where the caste system is deeply frozen, the Brahmin class is considered superior and untouchables do not get entry into the temple. The people of the village are very faithful to the goddess and follow religious customs.
Mohan's arrival and influence of Gandhism:
A young Brahmin boy of the village, Moorthy, who returns after studying from the city, is greatly influenced by Gandhiji's thoughts. He propagates satyagraha, non -violence, untouchability opposition and use of indigenous items in the village. Mohan inspires the people of the village to boycott foreign clothes and wear khadi.
Mohan first enhances integrity with the untouchables (Harijans), which makes the traditionalist Brahmins of the village angry. His mother Narsamma (Nurseimha) also annoyed him from his home. But Mohan does not back down, he is engaged in his mission.
Role of women:
Impressed by Mohan's views, some women of the village also join the movement. The most prominent among them are - Rangamma, who is an educated woman and holds women's meetings, and Bhadramma, who is a supporter of Mohan and is ready for social change. He spreads Gandhiji's ideas to the women's society and makes them part of the movement.
Women also go to jail, eat sticks, but do not give up. This novel also shows the changing situation of women in the society of that time.
Conflict and Atrocities:
As Gandhian views spread in the village, the British government becomes alert. Mohan is arrested by the British police. Atrocities on the orders of the British in the village increase - taxes are increased on farmers, satyagrahis are beaten, and many are sent to jail.
Along with the British government, some people of the village, such as Patwari, Seth Dharamdas, and Badeswamy etc., also oppose Gandhism and support the government. This shows that the freedom struggle was not only with the British, but also from internal opposition.
Unity and Movement of the village:
Finally the people of the village unite and carry forward the movement. While worshiping the goddess, they believe that their fight is for religion and justice. They fearlessly go to jail, burn foreign clothes, take part in the Satyagraha and prepare for the Quit India Movement on Gandhiji's call.
Although there is a period of sorrow, atrocities and violence in the village, the hope and self -confidence of the people do not let them break.
Energy of the novel
Kantapura village has completely changed at the end of the novel. Where earlier people were entangled in caste and temples, now they have moved towards freedom, self-esteem and equality. Even though Mohan is in jail, his message has spread throughout the village. The people of the village are now awake and they know that no one can suppress them forever.
Conclusions:
Raja Rao's "Kantapura" is not only the story of a village, but it is a symbol of rural society all over India. This novel teaches us that change is not only from cities, even a big revolution can begin from villages. As Mohan, we see a Gandhian leader, we get an approach to the tradition in the form of good, and we get a glimpse of women empowerment from characters like Rangamma-Bhadraramma.
Raja Rao has threaded the spirit of Indianness, Gandhism, religion, casteism and freedom in a beautiful plot. This novel has become an invaluable composition in Indian literature due to simple language, lively depiction and deep social message.
"Kantapura": Questions and answers
Q1: What is the main subject of the novel "Kantapura"?
Answer: The main theme of the novel "Kantapura" is the Indian freedom struggle. This novel shows how a small village is socially and politically aware and becomes a part of the freedom movement.
Q 2: Who is the main narrator of the novel and what is his role?
Answer: The main narrator of this novel is an old woman named Achkka. She explains in detail about the village traditions, goddess worship and social situations. The whole story comes out of his eyes.
Q 3: Which ideology is the character of Mohany?
Answer: Mohan is inspired by the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi - such as non -violence, satyagraha, indigenous, and untouchability. He spreads social awareness in the village and leads the freedom movement.
Q 4: What kind of roles do Rangamma and Bhadramma play in the novel?
Answer: Both Rangamma and Bhadramma are educated and conscious women. She organizes women and participates in the freedom movement inspired by Gandhiji's ideas. These characters represent women empowerment.
Q 5: How is casteism shown in "Kantapura"?
Answer: Casteism in "Kantapura" is deeply rooted. Brahmins are considered superior and untouchables also do not get entry into the temple. Mohan raises voice against this social injustice and tries to see everyone equally.
Q 6: How is the British government's response to Mohan's movement?
Answer: The British government is afraid of Mohan's movement and arrests him. After this, oppressive policies are adopted on agitators in the village; they are beaten and put in jail.
Q 7: How is the end of the novel "Kantapura"?
Answer: Mohan is in jail at the end of the novel, but the people of the village are completely affected by its ideology. The entire village has now moved towards freedom, equality and self -esteem. This is an optimistic end.
Q 8: What is the characteristic of the language and style of the novel "Kantapura"?
Answer: The language of "Kantapura" is deeply related to the Indian environment. Religious, social and cultural terminology has been fully used in this. Raja Rao has presented Indianness very effectively in the English language.
Q 9: What is the political message of "Kantapura"?
Answer: The political message of the novel "Kantapura" is that the Gandhian ideology - such as non -violence, satyagraha, indigenous, and self -power - can free India from the slavery of the British. This novel suggests that common villagers can also play an active role in the freedom struggle.
Q 10: What is the relationship between righteousness and politics in the novel?
Answer: The novel shows a close relationship between religion and politics. The villagers first believe in the goddess-worship and tradition, but when Gandhiji's thoughts come, people understand that true religion is to protect truth and justice. Religious beliefs inspire people in the movement.
Q 11: Why is Mohan excluded from society?
Answer: Mohan increases interaction with untouchables, tries to enter the temple and spreads Gandhian ideas. Due to this, the conservative Brahmins of the village get angry and exclude it from the society, even his mother removes him from the house.
Q 12: What is the attitude of the British in "Kantapura"?
Answer: The British novels are shown as oppressive and dictatorship. They arrest the agitators, assault and spread fear in the minds of people. They are afraid of the unity and awareness of Indians.
Q 13: What is the importance of 'Swadeshi Movement' in the novel?
Answer: The indigenous movement is a major means in the novel to boycott foreign clothes and goods. Mohan inspires the people of the village to wear Khadi and burn foreign clothes. This is the first step towards economic freedom.
Q 14: How is the role of youth in the novel showed?
Answer: The youth is shown to be aware, courageous and variable. Through characters like Mohan, it has been told that only youth can bring new thinking and revolution in the society. They challenge casteism, untouchability and traditional thinking.
Q 15: What is the significance of the village called 'Kantapura'?
Answer: "Kantapura" is not just a fictional village, but it is a symbol of every village in India, where tradition, religion, casteism and social bonds are deep. This shows that rural India can also become a strong pillar of freedom struggle.
Q 16: How is the struggle of women depicted in the novel?
Answer: Women also participate in the movement, do satyagraha, go to jail and eat sticks. Characters like Rangamma organize women and inspire them to become self -sufficient. It is clear from this that the role of women in the freedom struggle was equally important.
Q 17: What is the specialty of a good approach?
Answer: Achkka is a traditionalist old woman, but from her point of view the novel gets authentic Indianness. She also accepts her religious faith as well as social change and is influenced by Mohan's ideology.
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