Raja Rao’s first novel Kanthapura (1938) is the story of a
village in south India named Kanthapura. The novel is narrated in the form of a
‘sthalapurana’ by an old woman of the village, Achakka. Kanthapura is a
traditional caste ridden Indian village which is away from all modern ways of
living. Dominant castes like Brahmins are privileged to get the best region of
the village whereas Sudras, Pariahs are marginalized. The village is believed
to have protected by a local deity called Kenchamma. Though casteist, the village has got a long nourished
traditions of festivals in which all castes interact and the villagers are
united.
The main character of the novel Moorthy is a Brahmin who
discovered a half buried ‘linga’ from the village and installed it. A temple is
built there, which later became the centre point of the village life. All
ceremonies and festivals are celebrated within the temple premises.
Hari-Kathas, a traditional form of storytelling, was practiced
in the village. Hari-Kathas are stories of Hari(God). One Hari-Katha man,
Jayaramachar, narrated a Hari Katha based on Gandhi and his ideals. The
narrator was arrested because of the political propaganda instilled in the
story.
The novel begins its course of action when Moorthy leaves
for the city where he got familiar with Gandhian philosophy through pamphlets
and other literatures. He followed Gandhi in letter and spirit. He wore home
spun khaddar. Discarded foreign clothes and fought against untouchability. This
turned the village priest, a Brahmin, against him who complained to the swami
who was a supporter of foreign government and Moorthy was ex-communicated. Heartbroken to hear it, his mother Narasamma passed
away.
Bade Khan was a police officer, a non hindu of Kanthapura.
He was brought and supported by the coffee planters who were Englishmen.
Considered as an outsider, Bade khan is an enemy of the people who refuses to
provide shelter to him.
After the death of his mother, Moorthy started living with
an educated widow Rangamma, who took part in India’s struggle for freedom.
Moorthy was invited by Brahmin clerks at Skeffington coffee estate to create an
awareness among the coolies of the estate. When Moorthy turned up,
Bade Khan hit him and the pariah coolies stood with Moorthy. Though he succeeded in following Gandhian non
violence principle, the incident made him sad and unhappy.
Rachanna and family were thrown out of the estate because of
their role in beating Bade Khane. Meanwhile, Moorthy continued his fight against
injustice and social inequality and became a staunchest ally of Gandhi. Taking
the responsibility of the violent actions happened at the estate; Moorthy went
on a three day long fasting and came out victorious and morally elated.Following the footsteps of Gandhi, a unit of the congress
committee was formed in Kanthapura. Gowada, Rangamma, Rachanna and seenu were
elected as the office bearers of the committee and they avowed to follow Gandhi’s
teachings.
Fearing the greater mobility of people of Kanthapura under
the leadership of Moorthy, the foreign government accused him of provoking people
to inflict violence it and arrested him. Though Rangamma and Rachanna were
willing to release him on bail, he refused. He was punished for three months
rigorous imprisonment.
While Moorthy spent his days in prison, the women of Kanthapura
took charge of the struggle for freedom. They formed Women’s Volunteer Corps
under the leadership of Rangamma who instilled patriotism among the women by
presenting thr historical figures like Laxmi Bai of thansi, rajput princess,
Sarojini Naidu etc... Moorthy was released later and he came out as strong as
he was. People thronged at his house were dispersed peacefully.
Dandi March, Picketting of Boranna’s toddy grove were other
activities led by Moorthy after his release. Arrest of the satyagrhis, and
police brutality to women became a part of the everyday life of the people in Kanthapura.
Atrocities against women added miseries of the people. In the last part o the
novel, it is mentioned that people of the village were settled in Kashipur and Kanthapura
was occupied by people from Bombay.
