Bhupendra Narayan Bhattacharya’s Marudyan And The ‘Stream Of Consciousness Style

Abstract

Marudyan aru Ananya, a much-discussed novel by Bhupendra Narayan Bhattacharyya, is recognized as a notable example of modernist Assamese literature. This novel successfully employs the stream-of-consciousness technique. It delves into the intricacies of the human mind, focusing on the “study of the environment of the mind,” which forms the core of this genre. Through its protagonist, Shiladitya, the novel explores the introspective journey of an individual grappling with existential questions about life, the world, and society. It lacks a conventional storyline or narrative structure, defying the traditional norms of a novel. Despite this, it vividly portrays the modern globalized society’s sense of alienation, social detachment, and the isolation of the individual.

The character of Shiladitya, driven by his whimsical nature, gradually loses control over his domestic life. Although he never entirely loses self-restraint, he succumbs to failure, despair, and loneliness. His inner world is in constant turmoil, marked by incongruous thoughts and emotions. Gradually, he becomes estranged from everyone around him, yet this detachment fails to bring him contentment. He is repeatedly drawn back to the past, which dominates his consciousness, creating a sense of confusion and chaos in his mind. This very chaos reflects both Shiladitya’s mental state and the central message of the novel.

In essence, novels constructed in the stream-of-consciousness style present the psychological world of characters in a distinctive manner, capturing the endless flow of human consciousness—an essential feature of modernist literature. Marudyan strives to unravel this truth. This discussion aims to explore various aspects of Bhupendra Narayan Bhattacharyya’s Marudyan while also shedding light on the concept of the stream-of-consciousness technique.