An Eco-critical Dialogue of Human-nature Relationship In Anuradha Sharma Pujari's “iyat Ekhan Aranya Asil”

Abstract

Anuradha Sharma Pujari, (1964-) is a renowned novelist and short-story
writer from Northeast India, Assam. Being a versatile author Anuradha
Sarma Pujari explores various themes in her novels. Her novel Iyat Ekhon
Aranya Asil (trans. The Forest Wails, 2019) written on the theme of ecology
and environment won the Sahitya Akademi Award in Regional language in
2021. The novel throws light on issues such as human-nature relationship,
ecological exploitation, ecological imbalance and suppression of ecology in
a rapidly changing postmodern urban society. Thus, the purpose of the
present study is to provide a comprehensive analysis and exploration of
various thematic elements of eco-criticism in her novel Iyat Ekhan Aranya
Asil. In addition, the paper attempts to analyze the novel from an ecofeminist
lens thereby becoming a voice for the voiceless (both nature,
wildlife and the marginalised). Through this extensive examination, the
study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the novel's narrative
complexity, shedding light on how Sharma weaves together diverse themes
of ecology and highlights how religious faith and youth activism together
can act as a unifying force in preserving and restoring our natural landscape.