Assignment Paper no. - 201

Indian English Literature - Pre - Independence 

Name:- Payal Bambhaniya

Batch:- M.A. Sem. 3 (2022-2024)

Roll no. :- 14

Enrollment no.:- 4069206420220002

Paper no.:- 201

Paper Name:- Indian English Literature - Pre - Independence 

Topic:- Analytical Study of the Play - "Final Solution"

Email ID:- payalbambhaniya92@gmail.com

Submitted to:- SMT S. B. Gardi Department of English, MKBU.

Introduction of Writer:-

Mahesh Dattani:-

Mahesh Dattani, born on August 7, 1958, is a versatile Indian figure known for his roles as a director, actor, playwright, and writer. Born in Bangalore to Gujarati parents, he holds a degree in History, Economics, and Political Science. Later, he pursued post-graduation in Marketing and Advertising Management with the initial intention of becoming a copywriter. His association with the Bangalore Little Theatre marked the beginning of his theatrical journey, where he initially took on roles in Utpal Dutt's "Surya Shikhar." Dattani initially started his professional career as a copywriter in an advertising firm.

In 1986, Mahesh Dattani penned his first full-length play, "Where There's a Will." From 1995 onward, he transitioned into a full-time theatre professional. Alongside his theatrical pursuits, Dattani has worked in his family business, and he's also ventured into film direction. His debut film, "Mango Souffle," is an adaptation of one of his plays.

Mahesh Dattani holds the distinction of being the first playwright in English to receive the Sahitya Akademi Award. His plays have been directed by notable figures such as Arvind Gaur, Alyque Padamsee, and Lillete Dubey. 

 His notable works include:

•  "Where There's a Will" (1988)
• "Dance Like a Man" (1989)
•  "Tara" (1990)
• "Bravely Fought the Queen" (1991) 
•  "Final Solutions" (1993)
•  "On a Muggy Night in Mumbai" (1998)
•  "30 Days in September" (2001)
• "The Girl Who Touched the Stars" (2007)
•  "Brief Candle" (2009)
• "The Big Fat City" (2012)

Mahesh Dattani's plays are known for addressing not only the obvious social issues but also delving into deep-seated prejudices and problems that society often tends to ignore. His works confront issues related to gender identity, gender discrimination, and communal tensions. For instance:

- "Tara" explores the theme of gender discrimination.

- "30 Days in September" directly addresses the issue of child abuse.

- "Final Solutions" focuses on the lasting impact of the Partition.

Dattani's plays contribute to bringing attention to and fostering discussions about these complex social issues.

Mahesh Dattani stands as one of India's most successful playwrights, recognized for his ability to address issues that society often attempts to conceal or look away from.

About the Play - Final Solution:-

"Final Solutions" by Mahesh Dattani is a significant and widely performed play that unfolds in three acts, navigating between the Partition of India and the contemporary era. The play delves into the themes of religious intolerance and communal violence. When two Muslim boys, Bobby and Javed, seek refuge in the home of a Hindu Gujarati family after being chased by a violent mob, it triggers a torrent of bitter memories and ingrained prejudices. The escalating tension leads to a powerful climax, serving as a poignant reminder of the urgent necessity for tolerance in society.

In "Final Solutions," Mahesh Dattani masterfully depicts the characters wrestling with their own biases and beliefs, reflecting the intricate complexities found in real-life situations. The play skillfully unveils layers of prejudice through compelling dialogues, exemplified by lines like, "It's easier to hate than to love, isn't it?" These thought-provoking words encapsulate the profound challenges and conflicts that the characters grapple with throughout the narrative.

The use of the diary narration technique in the play offers a unique window into the thoughts, emotions, and perspectives of the characters. Daksha's diary plays a prominent role, serving as a narrative element that provides insights into both present events through the character of Hardika and past experiences through Daksha. Mahesh Dattani's adept use of the diary as a storytelling tool adds depth and complexity to the play, earning acclaim for its effectiveness in conveying the intricacies of the characters' lives.

Certainly, the diary narration technique in "Final Solutions" serves as a powerful tool to enhance the emotional impact of the play and to highlight the social and political issues it addresses. By weaving together past and present through the characters' reflections in the diary, Mahesh Dattani effectively engages the audience, providing a deeper understanding of the complexities within the narrative and the broader themes explored in the play.

Analytical Study of the Play - Final Solution:-

 "Final Solutions" delves into the complex and longstanding issue of religious communalism, which has been a significant national concern in India for over a century. By addressing this historical and deeply rooted problem, the play contributes to the broader conversation on the challenges faced by the nation in terms of religious harmony and communal tensions. 

 In India, while we celebrate a rich history of theatre, unfortunately, we also grapple with a history of religious tensions. These tensions, often known as religious communalism, stem from ideological differences between people of different religions. Political manipulation of these issues has led to conflicts and consequences like hatred and animosity. The focus on communities sometimes results in vote-bank politics, where political institutions prioritise gaining support from specific religious groups. The real issue lies in unfairly blaming entire communities for the actions of a few individuals, leading to stereotypes and punishments.

Since the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, there has been persistent communal tension between the Hindu and Muslim communities in India. Despite India's secular government and commitment to religious pluralism, instances of violent conflicts between Hindus and Muslims have occurred, often fueled by politically motivated events. The aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984 and the targeted violence against Sikhs, as well as the communal clashes against Christians in Orissa in 2008, are grim examples of such incidents. Over the years, tens of thousands of Indians have suffered attacks, rapes, and murders in the name of religion, creating a troubling history of communal violence. "Final Solutions" serves as a plea for an end to such communal violence, highlighting the urgent need for unity, particularly concerning issues like the Ayodhya dispute.

Communalism, much like casteism, involves the act of stereotyping and harbouring prejudices based on cultural and religious differences. This often leads to animosity, anger, and hatred among communities. Historical events such as the partition in 1947, the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, and the Godhra incident in 2002 have significantly contributed to a deep-seated divide between Hindus and Muslims. The majority or minority status of a community further shapes the collective mindset. There is a pervasive consciousness about religious differences, resulting in the use of terms like "we" and "they" to distinguish between one's own community and others. The dynamics of these communal tensions are evident throughout the play "Final Solutions."

In "Final Solutions," Dattani employs masks on the Mob/Chorus, facilitating a fluid change of identity to appear more natural. When characters express their inner feelings, the chorus whispers or shouts in tandem. The play opens during a curfew imposed due to disturbances in the Rath Yatra, leading to communal violence. Central character Hardika harbours a sorrowful past that has made her averse to the Muslim religious sect. The tension between two families, stemming from a job request denial, continues through Hardika, reflecting experiences shared by numerous families. These collective tensions exacerbate the split and hatred between the two sects. This is evident in the lines:

“Hardika: How could he let these people into my house? They killed his grandfather. They will hate us for protecting them. Asking for help makes them feel they are lower than us. I know! They don‟t want equality. They want to be superior.”

Hardika cannot forgive the people of the community who brutally killed her father, even if the murderers had no direct relations with the boys seeking shelter in their house. In many cases, the root of the dispute is simple, but due to the involvement of anti-social elements, it escalates into communal riots, significantly impacting the psyche of those enduring it. Beyond the tangible losses of lives and property, there are spiritual losses as well. The experiences not only result in physical and material losses but also affect the souls of the individuals. Such experiences change perspectives, as seen in the case of the two young Muslim men. Through their ordeals, their outlook on Indian society and themselves undergoes a transformation, as Bobby reveals to Ramnik the reason behind Javed's shift from an ordinary Muslim to a riot instigator or hoodlum:

“Bobby:A minor incident changed all that. We were playing cricket on our street with the younger boys. The postman delivered our nieghbour‟s mail. He dropped one of the letters. He was in a hurry and asked Javed to hand the letter over to the owner. Javed took the letter and opened the gate. Immediately a voice boomed „what do you want?‟ I can still remember Javed holding out a letter and mumbling something, his usual firmness vanishing in a second. „Leave it on the wall‟ the voice ordered. Javed backed away, really frightened. We all watched as the man came out with a cloth in his hand. He wiped the letter before picking it up, he then wiped the spot on the wall the letter was lying on and he wiped the gate! We all heard a prayer-bell, ringing continuously. Not loud. But distinct.”

Javed and Bobby share a common anger towards the man's behaviour, but their responses reflect a deep and significant difference. Aruna, a character in the play, responds in staunch and devout ways, even risking her own family members. She forcefully tries to instil the same beliefs in her daughter. Despite outward displays of secularism, the three characters—Bobby, Ramnik, and Smita—remain acutely aware of the roots of their religious identity, struggling to suppress these identities through their individual experiences.

Javed then confesses about the riots which broke-out because the disturbance in the Rath Yatra was initiated by him, as he threw stones on the idol of deity in the procession. And in Act III the conversation between Ramnik and Javed speaks his heart out and inflicts the attack on community which appears antagonistic to him:

“ Ramnik : Why do you distrust us?

Javed : Do you trust us?

Ramnik : I don‟t go about throwing stones!

Javed : But you do something more violent. You provoke! You make me throw stones! Everytime I look at you my bile rises!”

From here too one can find the animosity and hatred of Javed towards the Hindus is not for some particular individual or a group but for the community as whole.Finally, as Bobby and Javed are about to leave, Bobby breaks all norms by lifting the tiny image of Lord Krishna from Aruna's prayer room and declaring in front of all:

“Bobby:See! See! I am touching God! Your God! My flesh is holding Him! Look, Javed! Andhe does not mind! He does not burn me to ashes! He does not cry out from the heavens saying He has been contaminated! Look how he rests in my hands! He knows I cannot harm Him but He believes in me. He smiles! He smiles at our trivial pride and our trivial shame. He feels me and welcomes it! I told Him who is sacred to them, but I do not commit sacrilege. [To Aruna] You can bathe Him day and night, you can splash holy waters on Him but you cannot remove my smell with the sandal paste and attars and fragrant flowers because it belongs to a human being who believes and tolerates, and respects what other human beings believe. That is the strongest fragrance in the world!” 

Through Bobby, Dattani voices out the solution to get rid of such problems in society. The words of Bobby are enough to explain that it is the society and ones living in it that have created such havoc because of some events in their lives. If people genuinely trust each other and accept the diversity amongst them, it will be simpler to live than the present situations. Through Bobby, Dattani conveys that if the two communities understand and believe in each other, then nothing can be destroyed. But probably the only suggestion is that it needs practice and immediate implementation of brotherhood, forgetting the past and the stereotyped notions of each other.

When the young men leave Ramnik confesses to her mother Hardika:

“Ramnik:It‟s the same burnt-up shop we bought from them at half its value and we burnt it. Your husband. My father. And his father. They had burnt it in the name of communal hatred.”

It suggests that the causes of communal riots are not only due to disbelief, anger, hatred, and the influence of politicians but are also related to the economy. There are infinite instances and dialogues in the play that can be analysed to highlight communal hatred and stereotyping. The playwright, through such dialogues, attempts to suggest that such arrogant remarks must be stopped in society to prevent the spread of hatred and bitterness. Through these dialogues, Dattani clearly depicts the split between these two major groups in the country. As Mossaraf Hossain observes in his essay "Mahesh Dattani's 'Final Solutions': A Quest for Communal Problems in India":

“Mahesh Dattani successfully shows a ray of hope by rousing the conscience up from slumber, through curing the ailment of communal hatred, causing momentary rage, culminating into violence. Final solutions by Mahesh Dattani is an answer to a long-persisting issue, without an iota of doubt.” 

Thus, his primary purpose through this play is to promote workable unity and cooperation, ensuring that India does not become a fragmented sub-continent, a mere laughing stock, shortly after its independence and partition.

Conclusion:-

In "Final Solutions," Dattani expresses his humanistic concerns by addressing the theme of communalism. The play delves into religious consciousness and prejudices towards different religions. Dattani portrays communalist attitudes and stereotypes prevalent in society, influencing a sensibility of hatred between communities. Using the play as a reflection of contemporary socio-political issues, Dattani suggests that by ignoring discursive boundaries and understanding the complexity of communalism, viable solutions might be within reach.

Word Count:- 2,346

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