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Chilekothar Sepai

Reviewed By Mohammad Jashim Uddin

Published : Saturday, 16 November, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 3699
Akhtaruzzaman Elias
Akhtaruzzaman Elias' Chilekothar Sepai (The Soldier in the Attic) stands as a profound exploration of power, hegemony, and resistance, set against the backdrop of 1971's turbulent prelude to Bangladesh's independence. Through its complex characters and intricate narrative, the novel captures the psyche of individuals living under oppressive forces and the nuanced forms of resistance that emerge in response to that oppression. Elias uses both his characters' internal struggles and their interactions with society to critique the dynamics of power and hegemony, illuminating the ways marginalized individuals resist and assert agency, despite systemic efforts to subdue them.

The political environment of Pakistan's domination over East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in the 1970s serves as the primary context for understanding the structures of power in ChilekotharSepai. The state, represented by the Pakistani regime and its local collaborators, enforces a hegemonic rule that seeks to control the language, culture, and identity of the people of East Pakistan. This hegemony operates not only through direct violence and coercion but also through more subtle means that mold public consciousness and identity. The characters in ChilekotharSepai are keenly aware of these forces. An early line from the novel captures this tension: "They want us to forget who we are, to become shadows that obey without question" (Elias, ChilekotharSepai). This line highlights the extent of the state's grip over the cultural identity of its people, emphasizing its attempt to erase individuality and enforce compliance.

Language and cultural erasure are central themes Elias employs to demonstrate hegemony's power. The regime's imposition of Urdu as the national language over Bengali is an example of cultural domination, aimed at undermining the cultural identity of Bengalis. In ChilekotharSepai, Elias examines this linguistic hegemony through his protagonist's internal struggles and encounters with societal pressures. His characters grapple with this imposed identity, feeling the suffocating weight of power designed to make them subservient to a dominant narrative that discredits their heritage.

The protagonist, Anwar, represents the intersection of personal identity and political turmoil. His journey through the novel symbolizes the struggle of a people burdened by an oppressive hegemony. Anwar is a conflicted individual, not wholly committed to the political cause of independence yet unable to ignore the injustices around him. This ambivalence reflects the complex psyche of individuals who find themselves caught between fear and duty in the face of oppression.

Anwar's reluctance to join the independence movement is not out of apathy but rather fear, uncertainty, and the internalized effects of hegemonic forces that have long suppressed voices of dissent. He muses, "What difference does it make if I rise or fall? I am just one among many, a flicker in the darkness" (Elias, ChilekotharSepai), capturing his sense of insignificance in a world shaped by forces far beyond his control. This sense of helplessness is a direct consequence of the hegemonic power, which has created a culture of fear and submission.

Yet, Anwar's journey also reflects moments of awakening, where he gradually begins to question the structures that bind him. His interactions with other characters and his witnessing of violent repression help to erode the hegemonic ideology he has internalized. In this way, Elias uses Anwar's transformation as a microcosm of the larger societal shift occurring in Bangladesh, where even those initially reluctant to resist ultimately find themselves compelled to oppose the injustices they face.

Resistance in ChilekotharSepai is multifaceted, encompassing both overt acts of defiance and subtler forms of rebellion. Elias captures this through the everyday actions of his characters, who assert their identity through small, often unnoticeable, but significant acts. For example, the preservation of the Bengali language and cultural practices serves as a form of resistance against the cultural erasure promoted by the state. Characters in the novel make a point to speak Bengali, to tell stories of their heritage, and to resist Urdu's imposition, symbolizing a refusal to accept a homogenized identity.

Anwar's gradual embrace of Bengali culture and language serves as a critical point of resistance. He begins to understand that resistance does not always require grand gestures but can be embedded in the act of honoring one's language, beliefs, and customs. In a poignant moment, he reflects, "To speak Bengali is to remember, to resist, and to refuse to let go" (Elias, ChilekotharSepai). Here, Elias emphasizes the power of language as a tool for asserting identity, as well as the idea that resistance can be both a personal and political act.

Moreover, resistance in ChilekotharSepai is not confined to individuals alone. The collective spirit of the people, especially in their shared experiences of suffering and hope, becomes a powerful force against hegemony. Elias's depiction of community gatherings and whispered conversations illustrates how the oppressed find solidarity in each other. This sense of community reflects a powerful collective resistance that ultimately strengthens individual resolve, allowing characters like Anwar to move from fear toward a tentative sense of agency.

In ChilekotharSepai, Elias also presents a tragic irony: the very structures meant to silence and oppress become catalysts for awakening and resistance. The oppressive measures of the Pakistani regime push the people of East Pakistan to seek freedom more fervently, uniting them in shared opposition. This irony reflects the dialectical relationship between power and resistance: as hegemonic power intensifies, so too does the desire for liberation.

Anwar's evolution from an apathetic bystander to a reluctant resistor captures this tragic irony. His encounters with violence and injustice, initially numbing, eventually stir in him a sense of outrage and a yearning to reclaim his identity. He comes to realize that silence and compliance only serve to strengthen the oppressors, while even the smallest acts of resistance contribute to a collective push for freedom. This transformation encapsulates Elias's message: that resistance is both a personal and collective journey, one that gains strength as individuals awaken to the injustices imposed upon them.

Akhtaruzzaman Elias' ChilekotharSepai offers a powerful critique of the dynamics of power, hegemony, and resistance. Through its protagonist, Anwar, and the oppressive political landscape of the time, the novel captures the complex ways in which individuals grapple with their identities under hegemonic control. Elias demonstrates that resistance can take many forms, from the preservation of language to the refusal to submit to a dominant narrative. His portrayal of Anwar's internal struggles and eventual awakening reflects the broader journey of a nation asserting its identity against the forces of cultural erasure.

In Chilekothar Sepai, power is wielded to silence and control, but it also inadvertently awakens a spirit of defiance that manifests in both individual and collective acts of resistance. Elias reminds readers that true power lies not in domination but in the resilience of those who refuse to be silenced, echoing the timeless message that identity and freedom are worth defending, even in the face of overwhelming oppression. Through a narrative rich with subtle acts of rebellion and the unyielding spirit of its characters, Elias masterfully portrays the enduring struggle for selfhood and agency amid an unrelenting regime.

The writer is an Associate Professor of English at Northern University Bangladesh


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