Research Innovator: International Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed Journal ISSN: Print: 2395-4744 www.research-innovator.com ISSN: Online: 2348-7674

The Idea of Region in Regional Literature Author Priyaba B Sarvaiya Assistant Professor, Gyanmanjari Institute of Technology, , ) India Co-author Dr. Paresh Joshi Department of English, Christ College, , (Gujarat) India

Abstract The term nation covers the total personality of the land, region or geographical boundaries, cultural values, ethos and existing environmental and religious frame too. Nation is constructed in myths or allegory. The issue of native language too plays the significant role in shaping the national identity. The unified form of custom, tradition, language and geography moulds the image of nation. Nation is the unified form of various regions in Indian context. As per the language spoken, the states have received its regional identity. Regional languages too, have number of dialects spoken among sub-regions. It is argued that the concepts „region‟ and „nation‟ are not given but are only constructed through a skilful choice of issues in history. Region has its „distinctive personality‟ and the sources of such personality are the ecology and the nature of its earth, the folk life flourished through its natural factors and the history and its traditions. Some of the Gujarati novelists have attempted their hand to represent the concept of regional identity which merges within the soul of state: e.g. Meghani‟s Sorath, Pannalal Patel‟s Ishan region. The integrated form of such regions defines the true image of the Gujarat region. The regional novelists have offered a chronicle related to the region. In context to region, they focus the issue like native, cultural identity of the people correspondingly. Sometimes, mere the naming of the region governs the all incidents according to nature of regional impressions. The present paper through lights on especially in Guajarati literature and presentation of region of Gujarat by different Guajarati writer. Key Words: Nation, Region, Asmita, Regionalists, Gujaratiness, Sorath, and Ishan regions, Cultural identity

It seems that nations are misrepresented liberation from oppression, individual and entities and its very nature is instable. general consciousness of the subjects to Nation is constructed politically and resist the others shape the idea of nation. socially. The allegory of nationhood is The utterance of pronouns „we‟ and „they‟ designed by certain ideology to establish the separate the identity in mapping logically. national convention. The term nation covers Nation is constructed in myths or allegory. the total personality of the land, region or Social, political, cultural and religious particular boundaries, cultural values and norms define one‟s identity. The issue of ethos and, in the present time, environmental native language too plays the significant role and religious concerns, too. The factors like in shaping the national identity. Cultural

Volume IV Issue II: April 2017 (45) Editor-In-Chief: Dr. B.N. Gaikwad Research Innovator: International Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed Journal ISSN: Print: 2395-4744 www.research-innovator.com ISSN: Online: 2348-7674 association or exchange with „others‟ seems somewhat inferior. As Martin inspires one to define self-image. Custom, Heidegger states: „A boundary is not that at tradition, culture and civilization, physical which something stops but, as the Greeks appearance, language, religious practices, recognized, the boundary is that from which society, community, geographical something begins its presenting” (Bhabha 1) restrictions etc. judge the status and concept but looking to internal philosophic debate of nation. Unification of such features „one needs to create his original identity in moulds the image of nation. the present scenario because restoration of Vance defines region as „a group of national self image by rereading and rewriting the states possessing a common culture, texts will enhance, broaden and lead towards common political interests, and often a the new directions. By asking or examining formal organization‟ (Vance and Henderson, „Who we are? What we had? „Has our 1968:378).The issue observed in identity been shaped by others? „Are we conceptualizing a region turns around the constructed or transformed due to colonial requirement of geographical contiguity, but past or other influences‟?, we need to seek it can be true in context to international the answers of many doubts because nation sphere. The online dictionary, Thesaurus and nationalism is a much debated issue of defines the term „region‟ under various present era. categories: A large, usually continuous Before interpreting the manifestation of segment of a surface or space; area or a Gujarat region in this paper I would like to large, indefinite portion of the earth‟s focus on the sources and significance of surface or a specified distinct or territory etc. regionality first. The differences are Region also consists of sub-regions: e.g. observed in various sub-regions, the backdrop, cluster. Generally the term is used specialties of divisions and folk-life in a in terrestrial context. A region possesses its single language region. As a result of it each unchanging distinct nature which can be in region receives its distinct personality. the form of its natural environment and Region has its „distinctive personality‟ socio-cultural perspective. Region in through particular regional specialties. The comparison to nation remains the smaller sources of this personality are: unit. Nation is the unified form of various -The Ecology and the nature of its earth regions. Very often „Region‟ and „Nation‟ -The folk life flourished through its natural are seen as contrasting categories: however factors. there is significant overlap as can be -The history and its traditions. understood from Gujarati terms like „Desh‟ and „Vatan‟: literary translation for both What is stated as ecological references Region and Nation. include geography, environment, customs and traditions, professions, fairs and Though, the recent ideology emphasizes the festivals and folk-dialects. In a way, region broader philosophy of Vasudhaiva plays a crucial role in shaping the destiny of Kutumbakam (The whole universe is one the native inhabitants. The folk-life of single family), where the idea of „mine‟ region is blossomed amidst its distinct

Volume IV Issue II: April 2017 (46) Editor-In-Chief: Dr. B.N. Gaikwad Research Innovator: International Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed Journal ISSN: Print: 2395-4744 www.research-innovator.com ISSN: Online: 2348-7674 nature. Through the specialties of its earth Saurashtra Ni Rasdhar. His three celebrated and local professions formed in association novels: Sorath Taran Vahetan Pani, to it, such region receives the nourishment Vevishal and Tulsikyaro exhibit the social directly. The people generally follow the life of Sorath region. The areas like customary manners. Such folk life can be Zhalawad, Halar, Gohilwad, Sorath etc. are called regional life. The shaping of life included in Saurashtra region. Meghani‟s constructed through it is considered the novels portray the true picture of Sorathi poignant element of regionality. In another folk-life. The suggestions about the shaping way, the forms of nature are the key base of forces of Meghani are also found in his each region‟s distinct features. The form of Jivansambharana: nature, in association with its different “I am the child of mountain; Bagasara seasons manifests the new twinkling and of Bhayani is the native land of my among all the land holds the various shapes. fore-fathers. At present, the Gir forest The whole folk-life in connection to its having been cut off and has gone far moving wheels walks on the path of it in off from there...... My birth place is harmony. So the form of culture constructed Chotila-the heart of red-colored land through the practical approaches, festivals, of anchal Region. I was born in the religious fairs, customs and traditions of police station known as dreadful place folk-life, is also in accordance to it. The located near hills of Chotila where clear impression of region and its nature Goddess Chamunda is seated. When I reflects upon people‟s food, costume, was a small child my brothers took me residence and even in shaping the human often around the mountain picking me nature. In order to be familiar with „region‟ up on their chaste. I could suck the one must be well acquainted with its lactation of Panchal region only for historical and geographical set up. The quarter past month”( Mistry 15, tr.). cultural heritage, language, literature and Meghani is the literary author of Sorathi- people residing in it play very significant life. To depict ancient and modern life of part in defining its regional specialties. Sorath in literature has remained the chief Here is the brief analysis of some of the voice of his whole literary activities. He well-known Regional Novelists who have justifies the feelings in depicting the region depicted an ideal representation of region in of his realization in Sorathi Gitkathao: “The their novels: thirst to inquire and identify the ancient Jhaverchand Meghani (1896-1947) a noted phase of sorath in literature with love has poet, social reformer and freedom fighter been harassing me like a ghost for the last from Gujarat is a well known literary figure nine years. I don‟t disgrace it still. in the field of . Mahatma ...... striving to solve its mysteries and Gandhi spontaneously gave him the title of feeling awful sweetness in it” (Meghani 15, Raashtreeya Shaayar (National Poet). He tr.) Sorath is the material land of his went village-to-village in search of folk-lore experiences. Yashavant Shukla observes that and published them in various volumes of the chief tone of his creativity is not only the

Volume IV Issue II: April 2017 (47) Editor-In-Chief: Dr. B.N. Gaikwad Research Innovator: International Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed Journal ISSN: Print: 2395-4744 www.research-innovator.com ISSN: Online: 2348-7674 Sorath or its folk-life, but also the broad and the smell of many grafts by planting humanity amassed in it (Shukla 16, tr.). He them here to there with my own hand. I do calls it humanity. He has admitted that such not afraid of practicing experiments. My humanity cannot be the only privileges of world is wonderful. I do not belong to the Sorath but also becomes the universal human community. My world is of trees and wealth of geography wherever the man I am also a tree” (200). (tr.) dwells. The Sheth engages the Bharadi people in Meghani has depicted the folk life which farming who were once dacoits. He becomes creates the environment of the two decades their protector: of Sorath region before the world war first in “Each one has the shelter of this earth. Once his celebrated novel Sorath Taran Vahetan they had escaped this earth, are found tired Pani. So the chief protagonist of this novel and already returned to its lap. The poor is the whole Sorath community. The Sorath, people are already settled and why not? its forgotten and flown folk-communities Here all their desires are satisfied” (189). framed in love have been made alive. To (tr.) survive the ancient and vital regional values The characters portrayed by the writer enjoy against the changing scenario of modernity, their life mostly in harmony to the earth. the whole community is shown suffering, The life values, the customary beliefs, the torturing and gets ready to sacrifice himself traditions, the practical approaches, the with smile. Hence, the major source of doubts and their real life have been depicted inspiration is not an individual but the which expands the impressions of regional narration of regional life at large. Though specialties. The faith and superstition like the mortal thread of police inspector ghosts, witches, the beliefs to please Mahipatram and his son-in-law Pinaki‟s Goddesses and strange worshipping story has been woven in it, but through it the ceremony etc. are mostly observed in rural aim of the writer is to present the multi- culture. While depicting the life of the colored picture of social life in its truest twentieth century beginning phase, the sense. Here the rivers, the small bridges, the writer demonstrates the wonder of the valleys, the ruins, the thickets, the stations, people when they see motorcar for the first the markets etc. are found in romantic time. The people are shown dumbfounded environment all are attached to heart when they see the motorcar. E.g. they name throbbing land of native Sorath. The such motor vehicle as „Bhunkangadi’ (199, farming is at the centre among the local tr.).The Jadeja community of Sorath region businesses due to the fertility and distinct wears the beautiful turban on their head and nature of Sorath and Panchal land. The ties the woolen shawl under large end, wears character of Sheth ( Navo Khedu) expresses full and fitting trouser and combs the hair of his feelings for Sorath land in his words and their beard in parting line. Gora: the deeds: Britisher says to Mahipatram that these “Mine is the world of vegetation, I have Kathiyavadi (resident of Saurashtra region) produced the new kind of juice, the color, communities are marvelous. He appreciates

Volume IV Issue II: April 2017 (48) Editor-In-Chief: Dr. B.N. Gaikwad Research Innovator: International Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed Journal ISSN: Print: 2395-4744 www.research-innovator.com ISSN: Online: 2348-7674 the young man like Bhavar, the hanging smelling women or Hukkah-drinking by Rukhad Sheth on the trap while receiving male, its Baniyas and Kanbis, its Bhills and the capital punishment and Sumariyo: “Such Shepherds, the herds of cows and buffalos, fine type of chivalry fast decaying: yes. their verandah-cum-sitting room(chopad), ...... Alas! Mahipatram, if I were the big the courtyards and barns, and houses made officer in Indian army, I would have raised of cow-dung and black sand, the walls made the question to form the regiment: not of any of bamboo and maize stalks and houses single community but the regiment of whole shaded with grass or the wells in the fields Sorath” (50, tr.). and shades, their fairs and merry-go-round, As Meghani has offered us the fragrance of the marriage songs and ballads to praise the Saurashtra: the land of lions and mountain, Goddess, their dacoits and thieving, the its variegated life-style- the saints and satis, echoing guns and swinging swords, their the stories of dacoits and the brave, Pannalal bhaidaka (the grain grinded coarsely) and in the same manner has discovered the kansar (sweet), and the people: living in the north-east border region of Gujarat state and side of mountain and lap of nature, crying, the throbbing nature of land of Ishan (North- sobbing and enjoying, worshipping the deity East) mountains in his regional novels like: of motichhada (measles) and ghost, Manvini Bhavai, Malela Jiv and Valamana. sacrificing the hens and goats etc. have been Pannalal has searched the clue of self- vitalized like a fair of Ishan region. religion (duty). While writing the fiction, he Pannalal‟s depicted region Ishan is North preferred to select the plot from every corner Gujarat which is connected with Rajasthan. of urban and rural life. But when his logical Hence the bordering state has left its mutual power became self-sustained and winged, he impression on language, literature and had measured to think over one and only culture. Gujarat was known as „Old Western region which was his own. And in the said Rajasthan‟ territory or what Umashankar region, his natural uniqueness could blossom Joshi called „Maru-Gujur‟. (Maru-Marvad). in full swing. The sight of this land and its Ishan region of Pannalal is not an imagined people seen in his novels has remained the one. This is the region where he was born, first charming introduction of unknown and brought up and lived. It has the live unseen region of Gujarat till present day. It relationship with his life and creativity. The seems that Pannalal has made alive the big major source of his creative consciousness fair of Ishan corner in the universe of has remained the Ishan region of his native Gujarat: Its Ishan region, the Magariya land, its people, the folk-dialects, living mountains and chora hills, the Jambudiya standards, the customs and their traditional, dhara (deep lake), and up roaring rivers, the orthodox values. This region has a rural fields of maize crops and horrifying forests, background. It is situated on the borders of the variety of people- the youth wearing North Gujarat and Rajasthan. Mandali, the colourful feathers, the woman wearing mere village located near Rajasthan border of petticoat and cloth or flowered skirts, Simalvada Teshil in Dungarpur district, is petticoats and gavans (sari), the snuff the birth place of Pannalal Patel. Though

Volume IV Issue II: April 2017 (49) Editor-In-Chief: Dr. B.N. Gaikwad Research Innovator: International Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed Journal ISSN: Print: 2395-4744 www.research-innovator.com ISSN: Online: 2348-7674 Rajasthani language is taught in Mandali honesty and spirit to face the obstacles etc. and is considered the mother tongue of are drawn realistically in most of his novels. Mandali. Mandali and the nearby villages K. M. Munsi's arrival brought Gujarati novel are located near the eastern border of in a significant turn. Munsi was influenced Gujarat state, so Gujarati is the language of by Alexander Dumas. Munsi‟s historical its native inhabitants. Pannalal belongs to novels like Patan ni Prabhuta, Gujarat No Anjana Patel community. The half of this Nath, Rajadhiraj and Jay Somnath are community resides in Gujarat and the rest in remarkable pieces of Gujarati literature. Rajasthan. Undava, the village of Megharaj These novels are historical in nature. He has Tehsil in Sabarkantha district, is the border introduced the live world of characters touching village of Gujarat state. Mandali‟s which defines the true spirit of the region. border sectors start from there. Hence, His bright and affectionate female characters Pannalal remained the resident of a village like Rama, Manjari, Minal, Mrunal, located on the border area of these two Prasanna have established the true spirit of states. This region was lush green with trees, womanhood and added beauty to Gujarati plants, hills and river in those days. Pannalal literature. Similarly, the male characters like wandered in such a beautiful lap of nature in Jaysinh, Ra‟khengar, Munjal, Kak, Munja, his childhood. His childhood was spent on Udo and Tribhuvanpal manifest the virtues the bank of river Vatrak. The reader of his like valor, chivalry and sagacity. novels experiences the realistic and To conclude this paper, I would say that the wonderful form of nature and seasons, region of Gujarat is constructed politically. where the root of his inspiration lies. His Though, literary artists are found shaping hearty association with its people, their constantly the spirit of this land. Though, happiness and sorrow, confusions and modern Gujarat seems far different than its surviving effort, customs and traditions, the historical form, but the democratic frame victims of social and economical after 1947 and geographical set up of relationship, their agony, helplessness, Gujarat since 1960 has remained unchanged. References: 1. Chatterjee and Pandey 22. http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in 22nd Dec., 2011, 8.23 PM. 2. Chaudhari, Bhagvan. “The Idea of Region And Manifestation Of Gujarat” The scholarly Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies (n.d.): n.pag. The secondary Research Journal Studies.web. 3. Dave, Manjula B. Gujaratni Aarthik ane Pradeshik Bhugol Ahmadabad: University 4. Granthnirman Board Gujarat Rajya, 1979, 4th ed. 2002. P.1-3. Print. 5. Heidegger, Martin. “Building, Dwelling, Thinking” qtd. in Bhabha, Homi K. 6. The Location of Culture, London: Routledge, 1994. P.1. Print. 7. Meghani, Jhaverchand. Jeevansambharana qtd. in Mistry, Bhupendra. Gujarati Pradishik 8. Navalkatha, Gujarat: Gujarat Sahitya Akademy. P.15. print. 9. _ _ _ . Sorthi Gitkathaono Upodghat qtd. in Mistry, Bhupendra.p.15.Print.

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