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{{short description|2005 novel by Indira Goswami}} | |||
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'''''The Man from Chinnamasta''''' is a novel published in 2005 and written by [[Indira Goswami]], who was awarded the [[Sahitya Akademi Award]]<ref>[http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/Authorselect.asp?Author=Indira+Goswami India Club]</ref> in 1983, the [[Jnanpith Award]]<ref>[http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1817/18170790.htm Frontline Vol 18 Issue 17]</ref> in 2001 and the [[Prince Claus Awards]] in 2008.<ref>[http://www.princeclausfund.org/nl/what_we_do/awards/PrinceClasuAwardIndiraGoswami.shtml Prince Claus Foundation Citation]</ref> Set in pre-independence British Assam, it was written with a specific political vision : to exhort her readers to protest against the practice of [[Animal sacrifice in Hinduism|animal sacrifice]] in the ancient [[Kamakhya Temple]] in [[Assam]]. Once published, it took Assam by storm<ref>[ | '''''The Man from Chinnamasta''''' is a novel published in 2005 and written by [[Indira Goswami]], who was awarded the [[Sahitya Akademi Award]]<ref>[http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/Authorselect.asp?Author=Indira+Goswami India Club]</ref> in 1983, the [[Jnanpith Award]]<ref>{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20010908041741/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1817/18170790.htm Frontline Vol 18 Issue 17]}}</ref> in 2001 and the [[Prince Claus Awards]] in 2008.<ref>[http://www.princeclausfund.org/nl/what_we_do/awards/PrinceClasuAwardIndiraGoswami.shtml Prince Claus Foundation Citation]</ref> Set in pre-independence British Assam, it was written with a specific political vision : to exhort her readers to protest against the practice of [[Animal sacrifice in Hinduism|animal sacrifice]] in the ancient [[Kamakhya Temple]] in [[Assam]]. Once published, it took Assam by storm<ref>[https://kathamedia.blogspot.com/2006/11/man-from-chinnamasta-comes-to-chennai.html Katha in the News]</ref> because of its [[subversive]] nature. The [[Brahmin]]s especially took offence for her frank demand to remove an ancient practice in the most important [[Shakti temple]] of the world. | ||
==Plot== | ==Plot== | ||
Latest revision as of 21:01, 15 August 2025
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2009) |
| File:The Man from Chinnamasta.jpg First English edition cover, painting by Tyeb Mehta | |
| Author | Indira Goswami |
|---|---|
| Original title | 'Chinnamastar Manuhtu' |
| Translator | Prashanta Goswami |
| Country | India |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Katha Books |
| Media type | Print (Paperback |
| Pages | 200 |
| ISBN | 81-89020-38-2 |
| LC Class | MLCS 2006/01346 (P) PK1569.G578 |
The Man from Chinnamasta is a novel published in 2005 and written by Indira Goswami, who was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award[1] in 1983, the Jnanpith Award[2] in 2001 and the Prince Claus Awards in 2008.[3] Set in pre-independence British Assam, it was written with a specific political vision : to exhort her readers to protest against the practice of animal sacrifice in the ancient Kamakhya Temple in Assam. Once published, it took Assam by storm[4] because of its subversive nature. The Brahmins especially took offence for her frank demand to remove an ancient practice in the most important Shakti temple of the world.
Plot[edit | edit source]
The novel follows the relationship of Dorothy Brown, a British woman in Assam, and her relationship with a tantric of the Kamakhya Temple in Assam. Ratnadhar and Bidhibala's -the child widow's- story runs parallel to this narrative. Ratnadhar organizes a signature campaign against the practice and faces many troubles in the process.
Significance[edit | edit source]
The novel is also a scholarly account of Indira Goswami's quest and hard work. The Man from Chinnamasta, the tantric who is the protagonist, constantly discusses the ancient Sanskrit scriptures and substantiates his demand to stop animal sacrifice. He demonstrates the various alternatives that Debi Bhagavat, Yogini Tantra and Kalika Purana furnish to animal sacrifice.