ECOLOGICAL CONCERN

IN THE NOVELS OF ARUP KUMAR DUTTA

               

Prose writing in English from India’s North-East is a powerful genre. Identity is the main theme of the novelists of this region. They have been also dealing with the ‘Ecology’ of this region. An Ecological concern is Inherent in most of their writings. 

Arup Kumar Dutta is one of the best known writers of this region. One of Dutta’s main aim of writing is to create an Ecological awareness, in his young readers.  Through his short stories he has tried to convey the importance of the Interrelationship between human, nature and animals. His books cover a wide range of subjects that Include poaching, elephant-trapping, cave-exploration, Mountain-climbing and drug-trafficking. He also acquaints the readers with the life and different cultures of his region. 

His Juvenile fiction takes us to the Kaziranga sanctuary. His first work of Fiction a conservation oriented novel titled, “The Kaziranga Trail”, considered as one of the classics In Indian children’s Literature. It focuses on environmental Issues and conservation of wild-life, the Kaziranga plain, it’s flora and fauna were mentioned vividly by the author.  Through his thought-provoking book, ‘The Brahmaputra’ the reader comes to know about the profile river Brahmaputra and the society which evolved on its banks, and the highlights of civilization it attained. 

Dutta introduces the element of Realism to describe the relationship between individual and the society. He constructs the plots that reflect the social or personal events and Issues of contemporary life. They are portrayed from the people of his observation. Through his characters he wants to tell the life-style of the people, their Intimacy with the nature, their sympathy towards animals. His ecological Ideas depict the Inner self of the character. 

Dutta’s Involvement with nature and wild life can be seen throughout his writings. His characters describe the humanity’s Failure to the environmental damage and act to prevent it. He gives a strong message that our Irresponsible actions cause irreparable damage to the Nature.

ELIZABETH KRAPA

Research Scholar,

Dept. of English, Sri Padmavati Mahila University,

Tirupati.

Andhra Pradesh.