Volume : 6, Issue : 10, OCT 2020

INDULEKHA: A NARRATIVE DESCRIBING THE TRANSITION OF A SOCIETY AND CHANDUMENON’S SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE SHAPING OF MODERNITY

ABHILASH V.J.

Abstract

Change is an inevitable reality and is a continuous process. Every society undergoes a process of change. It is Heraclitus, a Greek Philosopher, who said “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” In some cases, while embracing newness, traditional values and principles are sacrificed. In some other cases, meaningless and outdated practices give way to novel and meaningful services. Literature being an essential ingredient of society and the culture of people, serve as a tool to understand these sociological changes. There is an underlying relationship between society and literature. According to Milton C. Albrecht, Literature reflects norms and values and the ethos of culture. Chandumenon could not isolate himself from the various events that happened in the society during his time. Indulekha by Chandumenon is striking piece of literature which describes the transition taken place in Kerala society. Chandumenon as a critique of the various events that happened in the society also describes the journey of a society, particularly Kerala society, to modernity by leaving behind the vestiges of old customs and practices. A critical analysis of transition to modernity also calls for a detailed study of the events that led to this transition. An in-depth analysis of Indulekha reveals certain striking factors that led to this transition.

Keywords

INDULEKHA, TRANSITION, MODERNITY, CULTURE, LITERATURE.

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