IGNOU MEG-07 Block 3 Summary | Raja Rao: Kanthapura

Here you will get the detailed summary of IGNOU MEG 7 Block 3 – Raja Rao: Kanthapura.

We have provided the summary of all units starting from unit 1 to unit 5.

Introduction

IGNOU MEG-7 Block 3 focuses on Raja Rao’s Kanthapura, a landmark novel in Indian English literature that merges myth, history, and nationalist politics through a distinctly Indian narrative voice. This block explores Raja Rao’s literary journey, the sociopolitical backdrop of Kanthapura, and the novel’s central themes, structure, style, and characters. Set in a South Indian village, the novel portrays how the Gandhian movement affects rural India, using a traditional storytelling technique to depict the rise of political consciousness among common people.

Unit 1 – Raja Rao: Career and Works

This unit outlines Raja Rao’s literary profile, focusing on his influences, ideology, and key contributions.

Key Points:

Born in 1908 in Karnataka, Raja Rao was deeply influenced by Indian philosophy, Vedanta, and Gandhian thought.
Studied in France, where he absorbed European literary forms while retaining a deeply Indian worldview.
His writings reflect a synthesis of Indian metaphysics and Western modernism.
Major works include:
- Kanthapura (1938)
- The Serpent and the Rope (1960)
- The Cat and Shakespeare (1965)

Raja Rao is celebrated for introducing a truly Indian idiom into English, reshaping the language to suit native expression.

**Unit 2 – Kanthapura: Background**

This unit discusses the historical and cultural context of Kanthapura, situating it in India’s nationalist struggle.

Contextual Insights:

Set during the 1920s–30s, the novel coincides with the Indian freedom movement, especially Gandhi’s non-violent resistance.
The fictional village of Kanthapura symbolizes India’s traditional society grappling with the forces of modernity and reform.
Raja Rao incorporates elements from Indian oral tradition, particularly the Harikatha style, in the novel’s narration.
The political upheaval is mirrored in the spiritual and social transformation of the village community.

The unit emphasizes that Kanthapura is not merely a political novel—it is also a cultural text depicting religion, caste, gender, and folklore.

**Unit 3 – Kanthapura: Themes**

This unit explores the major themes embedded in the narrative.

Central Themes:

Gandhian Nationalism: Gandhi’s influence is central, represented through the character of Moorthy, who becomes a local reformer.
Caste and Social Reform: The novel critiques brahminical orthodoxy and promotes egalitarian ideals.
Women’s Participation: Female characters, especially Rangamma, play crucial roles in mobilizing resistance.
Myth and Reality: The village is presented as a microcosm of mythic India, blending legendary structure with historical events.
Tradition vs. Change: The story reveals the tensions between age-old customs and the new wave of nationalistic fervor.

The unit underscores how Rao uses allegory and symbolism to elevate the village’s story into a universal political and spiritual narrative.

**Unit 4 – Kanthapura: Structure and Technique**

This unit explains Raja Rao’s narrative structure and stylistic innovations in Kanthapura.

Notable Features:

The novel is narrated by Achakka, an elderly village woman, using a first-person oral tradition.
The storytelling style is non-linear, rich in digressions, proverbs, and religious references.
Rao adapts the English language to mimic Indian speech rhythms, creating a vernacular English.
The structure reflects thematic unity, linking personal stories with nationalist struggle.

This unit highlights Rao’s pioneering role in creating an “Indianized English novel”, distinct from both British literary models and vernacular Indian texts.

**Unit 5 – Kanthapura: Characters**

This unit presents an analysis of the major and supporting characters, emphasizing their symbolic and thematic roles.

Main Characters:

Moorthy: The protagonist, a young Brahmin who becomes a Gandhian reformer, symbolizing spiritual awakening and social rebellion.
Achakka: The narrator; traditional yet observant, she provides a nuanced view of change and continuity in the village.
Rangamma: An educated widow who leads women’s participation in the movement, symbolizing female agency.
Bhatta: A corrupt priest who represents religious orthodoxy and moral decay.
Patel Range Gowda, Waterfall Venkamma, and others populate the village, creating a complex social fabric.