Vijay Tendulkar’s Encounters in Umbugl and as a Political Satire

Abstract

The thorough analysis of Vijay Tendulkar’s Encounter in Umbugl and as a political satire shows how Tendulkar builds on satire as a tool to expose the intricate political intrigues practiced by a naïve young Princess Vijaya to attain positions of authority during sixteenth century royalist regime in India. To make his satire effective and subtle, he utilizes the device of political allegory in which Umbugl and symbolically represents the post-independent India in the grip of political void after the death of Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, and the wrangling between the ministers and princess Vijaya stands for the power contest among the politicians of that period. Despite the distance achieved through the creation of a fictitious milieu, it is easy to identify the characters with political figures who held ministerial positions in those years. The so-called political leaders spouting moral platitudes; the ever- smiling statesman; and the strong and determined princess Vijaya, the sole daughter of the autocratic king represent the true nature of the politicians. Any way, princess Vijaya creates favourable situation for herself and refuses to be the puppet and pawn of her advisers. Though she acts in a childish and humorous manner, she becomes successful in turning the table against the powerful ministers–her rivals.