Representation of Indigeneity in the Select Works of Verrier Elwin

Abstract

This thesis entitled “Representation of Indigeneity in the Select Works of Verrier Elwin” deals with various facets of indigeneity in the Indian context. The significant parameters of nature, women and community are discussed with reference to the literary works of Verrier Elwin. The recent critical approaches to nature, women’s issues and communitarian identity are also included in the core chapters. Various influences upon Elwin have also been traced in course of discussion. The influences of British Romantic poets, Indian tribal folkloric traditions and the leaders of Indian Freedom struggle have been charted with factual details. Many significant indigenous cultural registers are identified, annotated and analyzed in the context of indigenous identity. The third, fourth and fifth chapters of this thesis deal with the core argument of my research. I have attempted to show how Elwin’s reading of the indigenous reality was a pioneering attempt to discover the true spirit of indigeneity. Compared to the mainstream construct of indigenous identity it’s a discovery of an alternative worldview. I have endeavoured to highlight how Elwin identified the politics of representation of indigeneity and coined a new rhetoric of appreciating indigenous literature.