Published Online:March 2025
Product Name:The IUP Journal of English Studies
Product Type:Article
Product Code:IJES060325
DOI:10.71329/IUPJES/2025.20.1.71-81
Author Name:Rama Chandra Krisani and Chittaranjan Bhoi
Availability:YES
Subject/Domain:Arts and Humanities
Download Format:PDF
Pages:71-81
This paper attempts to explore the themes of trauma and protest in Gopinath Mohanty’s novel Paraja, a novel that vividly depicts the plights and predicaments of the Paraja tribe in Odisha. The novel unfolds against the backdrop of the lingering shadows of colonialism, epitomized by unscrupulous moneylenders who exploit the indigenous Paraja people. It depicts the harrowing tale of struggle and survival as the Paraja community grapples with the pervasive exploitation by non-tribal forces. Through compelling characters and powerful narratives, Mohanty illuminates the resilience of the Paraja people as they navigate the tensions between tradition and modernity, resilience and vulnerability. Moreover, the novel serves as a powerful platform for exploring themes of trauma and protest, as the Paraja tribe grapples with systemic injustices and challenges from entrenched power structures. Through the narrative and thematic depth, the novel offers an invaluable insight into the complexities of colonialism, exploitation and the ongoing struggle for indigenous rights and dignity.
Gopinath Mohanty’s Paraja (1945) offers a touching depiction of the Paraja tribe, a community on the outskirts residing in the hills and woods of Koraput, Odisha.