Tension between Tradition and Modernity in Markandaya's A Silence of Desire

Abstract

The present research paper tries to investigate the clash between tradition and modernity in Kamala Markandaya's A Silence of Desire. This research focuses on western cultural encroachment upon Indian culture and tradition. It analyzes Sarojini's struggle to preserve her cultural heritage and tradition in the pace of changing time. The tension is primarily seen between the female and male characters who represent the tradition and modernity respectively. Sarojini valorizes her own tradition, culture and rituals and wants her womb tumour to be treated by faith healer but when Swamy suggests her to have operation in hospital, she does not deny him and willingly goes to hospital. Dandekar claims to be rational and scientific but what he perceives is colored by his distorted idea of rationality and science. He is trapped between two worlds, one 'scientific' not fully born, and the other, 'traditional' not fully thrown away. Markandaya's characters are in an ambivalent position: between tradition and modernity. They want to show outer reality even though they have no inner potentiality. It means they are hypocritical in nature. To analyze this problem, this research paper will analyze the text from alternative modernities perspectives forwarded by Dilip Parameshwar Gaonkar, Charles Taylor, Dipesh Chakrabarty and Ziauddin Sardar. Primarily, it will use Gaonkar's theory of Alternative Modernities which will point out to think of alternative modernities does not mean completely abandoning the Western discourse on modernity rather it incorporates the Eastern views side by side. Keywords: Alternative Modernity, Tradition, Modernity, Ambivalence, Culture