Ruptures in Rural Life in mid-20th Century Bengal

Magic Realist reading of Akhtaruzzaman Ellia’s Khwabnama

Abstract

In the context of contemporary Bangladesh, we see a significant political rupture and reemergence of dreams of radical political restructuring. A fresh reading of Akhtaruzzaman Elias’ Khwabnama asserts this significance. Elias brings about the ruptures in rural life that is being harnessed out of the streaming undercurrents of history and adversities. The novel reflects a peasant community’s resilience-building and assimilating dreams, against the tides of oppression and capitalist exploitation. Through the presentation of a magic realist universe, Elias deconstructs the established binaries of reality and dreams, and the grand narrative of nation and the micronarratives. My paper, aims to delve into the unique culture specific world views of peasants as presented in the novel and underline their unique political and cultural ontologies that sustain their existential struggles through their specific modes of orientation to society, ecology, art, cultural syncretism and faith worlds.