VEDA’S JOURNAL OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (JOELL)

An International Peer Reviewed (Refereed) Journal  ISSN:2349-9753

Impact Factor (SJIF) 4.092           http://www.joell.in

INTERPLAY OF KARMA AND KISMAT IN MANOHAR MALGONKAR’S A BEND IN THE GANGES

Brahmjot Kaur

(Research Scholar, University of Lucknow, Department of English and MEL.)

e-mail: brahmjotkaur0710@gmail.com

doi: https://doi.org/10.33329/joell.61.21

ABSTRACT

   Malgonkar’s A Bend in the Ganges, considered as one of the finest works of fiction depicting the Partition has been assessed by scholars enthusiastically for its narrative technique, symbols, motifs and the author’s deft character delineation. This paper, however, tries to investigate the novel for the role that Karma and Kismat play in it. The initial attempt shall be to elucidate these two religious concepts in simple terms, not delving any deeper into theological and philosophical concerns. The major portion of this paper shall attempt to segregate each instance, each event involving each of its characters (major or minor) under these two heads of Karma and Kismat, thereby showing the hand of both karma and kimsat in shaping their lives. It is based on these two that the reader relates to characters, and empathizes some and despises some.

Keywords:  Kismat, Karma, Destiny, Choice, Partition, Religion, Communal Riot.