Allegory of a time gone by rings a bell today

A torchbearer of the modernist movement in Kannada literature, UR Ananthamurthy’s works have been translated into many Indian as well as European languages. First published in 1978 in Kannada, ‘Avasthe’ (meaning plight or condition), reflecting a moral dilemma central to human values, remains true to his oeuvre. The allegorical work, ironically enough, mirrors the painful present even more than the times when it was written. The novel is based loosely on Kannada socialist leader Gopala Gowda’s life who led the Kagodu Satyagraha, bringing about an important legislative change beneficial to farmers. The nation is besieged by corruption and eroding human values. The prime minister has assumed dictatorial shades. Protagonist Krishnappa Gowda is a revolutionary peasant leader, who possesses the moral and political capital to combat the PM and his party. The trope which runs through many of Ananthamurthy’s works is the hypocrisy of great men. In ‘Avasthe’ too, the Jnanpith awardee, with his deep understanding of human dilemmas and how politics can seduce and overpower even the idealists, shows Krishnappa grappling with his conscience. Can the revolutionary retain his ideals in the murky world of politics?

The novel teems with memorable characters, realistic and vivid, even minor ones. His wife Sita, his love Gowri, his lover Lucina, his teacher Maheshwarayya, another teacher’s wife Rukminiamma…

With its themes and sub-themes of caste, poverty, modernity, equality and spirituality, Ananthamurthy’s writings remain relevant even in the present context, both social and political. — TNS