Bakhtin’s ‘Chronotope’ and Mahasweta’s ‘Terodactyl’/ বাখতিনের ‘ক্রনোটোপ’ ও মহাশ্বেতার ‘টেরোড্যাকটিল’

Abstract

Mikhail Bakhtin is one of the eminent postmodern critics of Novels. His theory radically changed the traditional and conventional¹ way of reading, writing and criticising the Novels. One of the foremost Bakhtin’s theories is ‘Chronotope’² i.e Time and Space theory. Bakhtin narrative that Chronotope is the technique and method of Novels. The Chronotope is created by identifying the voice of existing social reality in Mahasweta devi's novel 'Terodactyl³, Puron Sahai and Pirtha'. We have seen that while writing the history of exploitation, Deprivation, Suffering of Nagesia People of Pritha block Madhya Pradesh, mahasweta Devi is searching for their 'self'. As a result of Colonialism, their physical existence, oral tradition, and cultural heritage is endangered and lost. So, Mahasweta Devi wanted to return to find their roots and Reality. Mahasweta Devi applied a Mythical entity⁴ for this purpose. The activist writer Mahasweta Devi has created the mythical entry and exit of the Terodactyl in this novel to convey the danger and degradation of the tribal people. The Terodactyl is a messenger of the extinction of the aboriginal people⁵ of india. Mrs. Devi has woven the tribal people of the pre-colonial period in her novel. but they are not able to carry their culture, tradition, customs and history. They Seem to be on the poet's side. As a result, Terodactyl and indigenous people become indifferent in this novel.