IMPACT OF FOLK-CULTURE IN ABHIJIT SEN’S NOVEL 'HOLUD RONGER SURJO'/ অভিজিৎ সেনের ‘হলুদ রঙের সূর্য’ উপন্যাসে লোকসংস্কৃতির প্রভাব

Abstract

This paper presents a detailed discussion of elements of folk-culture mentioned in the novel “Holud Ronger Surjo” by Abhijit Sen. The novel mentions wish-fulfilling deities such as Kali, Kameswari and Jaher-Than as folk-deities. In terms of folk-festivals, the main popular festival of the tribal Santal community ‘Saharay’ is mentioned. Some rituals are mentioned in the context of this festival. For example, Santal community has a custom of sacrificing rooster, pig etc. to the deity on the occasion of festival and in Namashudra society the ritual of Hari-sankritana is to pray for the peace of the soul of the deceased. Sadhumela is known as folk-mela. The Santal community’s belief in witch-craft in terms of folklore is found in this novel. There are also references to Hindu society’s ban on cow-slaughter and belief in the use of iron. Again, some folk-mantras and medicines are mentioned in this novel regarding the practice of witch-craft. Some Saharay music is introduced in the celebration of the ‘Saharay’ festival. Madal is mentioned as folk-instrument for singing this Songs. Besides, there are mentions of Muri, Khai, Chira and Jaggery as folk-food and Taadi, Pachani etc. as folk-drink. Dhoti is mentioned as a folk-dress. Agriculture, Carpentry, weaving etc. as folk-livelihood and Mural-painting, Woodwork, Mat-craft etc. are mentioned as folk-arts. Kodal, Ax, Da, Henso, Tangi, Lathi etc. are identified as folk-weapons in this novel. In the field of folk-technology, there are references to Dhekki, Dona, Sanko, Wooden-stairs etc. Moreover, various types of folk-languages of the society and some proverbs spoken by the people of the society are mentioned in this novel. All these elements are thoroughly analyzed in terms of the novel’s themes and characters in this paper.