Introduction:
As we study the story of the novel “Shadow from Ladakh” written by Bhabani Bhattacharya we find that the writer has written the present story with reference to the sudden and shocking attack on India by China. It was an attack after breaking the five principles which were made at the Bandung conference by the two great leaders, Chow - en - Lai, the prime Minister of China and Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India. In the present story, Satyajit stands for Gandhigram and Bhaskar stands for progress and industrialization of India through Steeltown. Later, a compromise was made between the two.
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| Critical Appreciation of the Novel Shadow from Ladakh |
China's Sudden Attack on India:
After getting freedom, India was on the path of progress when a sudden and shocking event took place in 1962 when China stabbed in the back of India by the sudden attack on this country. The point of attack was Ladakh. The effect reached from the snowy mountains upto the distant villages of India. Both the government of India and its people were badly shaken. The values of peace as well as of peaceful co - existence were badly disturbed. It was a problem how to meet that open attack of China which had made it on India without any reason. The policy of non-violence of Gandhiji became incomplete and inadequate under such condition. The writer suggested a compromise by way of Gandhigram and the Steeltown. Satyajit, in the present novel, stood for Gandhigram and Bhaskar stood for the Steel town. Bhaskar also loved Sumita, the daughter of Satyajit so much that he became ready for the compromise.
What is the Philosophy of Gandhiji?
According to the philosophy of Gandhiji, Bhattacharya also showed his faith in the Gandhian principle of ‘Simple living and high thinking’ which is the basis of the story of the present novel. The writer also showed great importance to the Gandhian way of life which he regarded his significant commitment to the great idea. Though R. K. Narayan in his novel “Waiting for the Mahatma”, and Raja Rao in “Kanthapura” dealt with the Gandhi's theme, yet Bhattacharya made it his ideal of his life. He expressed his ideal in all his novels. The character of Satyajit who had stood for Gandhigram in the present novel “Shadow from Ladakh” is the real image of a devoted disciple of Gandhiji. Some other characters like Suruchi, the wife of Satyajit and his daughter Sumita also support him out - and - out because they also have deep faith in the philosophy of Gandhiji.
The Contrasting Values in the Novel:
As we study the present novel seriously we find the contrasting blending of two values of industrial progress and the peaceful life of Gandhigram. Satyajit supported Gandhigram which was the replica of the Sevagram of Gandhiji because as his true devotee of Gandhiji. He had deep faith in non - violence and other such values. On the other hand, Bhaskar stood for the Steeltown which was for making machines and war weapons. His purpose was to lay the foundation of the Steeltown in place of the Gandhigram. He also loved Sumita, the daughter of Satyajit so deeply that he was compelled to make a compromise between the two opposite forces. The writer also supported the Gandhian way of life, so he made Bhaskar to surrender before Satyajit who was an image of Gandhiji. He also knew well that industrialization was equally significant for the real progress of India. The writer has clearly and effectively highlighted the contrast between sophisticated urban life and the peaceful rural life. The people of Gandhigram also showed a contrast against the modern outlook of Bhaskar.
Gandhigram versus Steeltown:
As we go on reading the present novel we find the story of the Gandhigram versus the Steeltown. It is clear that the writer as a true Indian showed his support for Gandhigram and for its innocent people, so he compelled Bhaskar to come to the terms of Satyajit because his love for Sumita had persuaded him to act likewise. It is necessary to point out that Gandhigram was a microcosm of India showing an image of a large number of villages of the country. The people seem to oppose the onslaughts of machine oriented life. The Steeltown was supported by Bhaskar who had developed western outlook. These two views remained the central point of the story of the present novel.
The Motive of Synthesis:
The story of the present novel clearly shows the motive of synthesis between the Gandhigram and the Steeltown. Satyajit who was the true follower of Gandhiji was in favour of the Gandhigram to develop and spread the great ideas of Gandhiji among the rural people. Bhaskar who was America - returned supported the foundation of the Steeltown in place of Gandhigram in order to produce machines and war weapons. Later both of them came to a compromise in the interest of a common synthesis. Satyajit's daughter, Sumita loved Bhaskar, so she helped in the work of real, necessary and useful synthesis.