Language Politics and Decline of Culture in Anita Desai’s In Custody (1984)

Abstract

Aims: The present paper attempts to provide a comprehensive analysis of Hindi-Urdu conflict and Urdu’s resultant decline in post-partition India. It also attempts to shed light on the genuine attempt of the protagonist cum custodian to retain the glory of the lost tradition.

Methodology and Approaches: This proposed study is analytical in nature.  In order to depict language politics and cultural decline in the novel, an in-depth textual analysis has been done. Since history appears to be pulverizing and destroying the lives of the individuals in this novel, this study analyses the text in historical context. It also follows the explanatory approach in order to delineate the intricacies of human psyche and human relationship.

Outcome: This paper offers a reflection on the causes and effects of language politics and cultural decline in the post-partition India. It also interrogates the issue of communalization of languages in India during the troubled and turbulent times of history. This paper addresses the need to preserve the syncretic culture of India which is only possible through its true practitioners.

Conclusion and Suggestions:  This paper underlines the challenges during tumultuous times of history. Urdu as a language has been depicted in a vulnerable state in post-partition India which is on the verge of perishing. The protagonist’s extreme isolation and abrogation of the monotonous poetic/public life is certainly a corollary of irresistible and devastating presence of history. Literally, the entire novel reads as a despondent eulogy on the demise of a language.  The film adaptation of the novel can further be analyzed through the cinematic lens.