Recreation of History Through Art in Ondaatje's Anil's Ghost
Date
Authors
Kandel, Tika Ram
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of English
Abstract
Michael Ondaatje'sAnil's Ghostnarrates the forgotten stories of those who
were massacred in the mindless violence of Sri Lankan Civil War, particularly the
common and downtroddenpeople. Presenting the central character, Anil, beyond the
mainstream cultural, political and social scenarios, Ondaatje confirms his affinity to
the underprivileged people. The pain and agony of war victims is clearly examined
through the reconstruction of skeletons. The suppressed and unidentified past comes
into existence which is the best way to renovate the native history within the literary
text. Ondaatje historicizes those people who exist on the margin of canonical history.
With this novel, he givesthe voice to those who were unheard in official history,
records them in art and literature as Sri Lankan artist Anand reconstructs the statue of
Buddha.