Recreation of History Through Art in Ondaatje's Anil's Ghost

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.