Mythic Realism in the Garb of Poetic Symbolism in Cho. Dharman’s Koogai “The Owl”

Abstract

Subaltern narratives are born of lived experiences and folk wisdom, with a unique flavour of the soil, tempered with tears and sweat. Dharman’s narrative technique “The Owl” is unique and Ms. Vasantha Surya, the translator deftly captures the cadence and core of the mystic rendering with aplomb. The spoken register of the karisal region is earthy but can be easily followed by all but in translation, it requires footnotes and references. Cho Dharman, who has too many fish to fry and several axes to grind, tries to convey more with symbolism and Greek chorus-like authorial intrusion by using a style that is a blend of mysticism and myth. This paper aims at capturing the purpose and intent of the author.