Discuss the theme of communalism and its treatment in the novel ‘Tamas’

 Discuss the theme of communalism and its treatment in the novel ‘Tamas’

Bhisham Sahni was an Indian writer, playwright, and actor, who wrote in Hindi. He was born in Rawalpindi, British India (now Pakistan) in 1915 and died in 2003. He is considered one of the most prominent Hindi writers of the 20th century. He is best known for his novel Tamas (Darkness) which is based on the true events of a communal riot that took place in the town of Bhagalpur in Bihar, India in 1989. 

He wrote several other novels, plays, and short stories that deal with various themes such as communalism, caste discrimination, and the struggle for independence and freedom. He was also an actor and director, and worked in films and television. He was awarded several awards and honors throughout his career, including Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Akademi Award and Padma Shri.

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Discuss the theme of communalism and its treatment in the novel ‘Tamas’.

Tamas is a novel written by Bhisham Sahni, an Indian writer who wrote in Hindi. The novel, which was first published in 1975, is based on the true events of a communal riot that took place in the town of Bhagalpur in Bihar, India in 1989. The novel's main theme is communalism, which refers to the religious or ethnic divisions that can lead to conflict and violence amongdifferent communities.

The novel is set in the pre-independence period of India, and it portrays the communal tensions that existed between the Hindu and Muslim communities. The novel paints a stark picture of the violence and hatred that can result from communalism, and how it can tear apart communities and individuals.

The novel is divided into three parts, each of which is narrated from the perspective of a different character. The first part is narrated by a Hindu, the second by a Muslim, and the third by an observer who is a British officer. Through these different perspectives, the novel presents a nuanced and complex view of the communal violence, rather than reducing it to a simplistic narrative of good vs. evil.

Discuss the theme of communalism and its treatment in the novel ‘Tamas’

The novel also explores the role of the state and the political establishment in promoting communalism, and how they use it for their own gain. The novel also looks at the impact of communal violence on the lives of individuals, particularly women and children.

In summary, the theme of communalism is a central theme in the novel Tamas, and it is treated in a nuanced and complex manner. The novel paints a stark picture of the violence and hatred that can result from communalism, and how it can tear apart communities and individuals. The novel also explores the role of the state and the political establishment in promoting communalism and the impact of communal violence on the lives of individuals, particularly women and children.

WHAT IS COMMUNALISM IN TAMAS

In the novel Tamas (Darkness) by Bhisham Sahni, communalism refers to the religious or ethnic divisions that can lead to conflict and violence between different communities, particularly between the Hindu and Muslim communities. The novel is set in the pre-independence period of India, and it portrays the communal tensions that existed between the Hindu and Muslim communities. The novel portrays how these tensions and misunderstandings can be exploited and exacerbated by the state and the political establishment for their own gain, and how it can lead to violence and bloodshed, destroying the lives of individuals and communities.

The novel Tamas is based on the true events of a communal riot that took place in the town of Bhagalpur in Bihar, India in 1989. The novel paints a stark picture of the violence and hatred that can result from communalism, and how it can tear apart communities and individuals. Through different perspectives, the novel presents a nuanced and complex view of the communal violence, rather than reducing it to a simplistic narrative of good vs. evil.

In summary, in the novel Tamas, communalism refers to the religious or ethnic divisions that can lead to conflict and violence between different communities, particularly between the Hindu and Muslim communities. The novel shows how these divisions can be exploited by the state and the political establishment for their own gain and how it can lead to violence and bloodshed, destroying the lives of individuals and communities.

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