Allegory of Resistance and Activism in Thamilavan’s Shambala

Abstract

Thamilavan’s Shambala, as its subtitle confirms, is a political novel which bears apparent characteristics of a political allegory. The activist-turned writer narrates the novel in the backdrop of a complex socio-political and cultural scenario. The portrayal of the political disarray in the novel's locale shows allegorical undertone, and through this, the writer is arguably engaging in a subtle form of activism. The novel is built on the realistic portraits of the trauma that an intellectual experienced under the coercive power structure of a state. Besides, the author employs metafictional techniques, wherein the author constructs the allegory of the political scenario through a novel within the novel. The focal point of allegory in the novel, probably, is the growth and development of a central character, Hitler, who becomes a minister in a state. Further, the narrative can be considered as a reaction against systemic violence unleashed by the totalitarian state against its dissenting subjects. The novel also illustrates how a  writer employs his work to resist against the system of power by juxtaposing its mode of operation as well as counter currents and arguments lurking in the society against the system of power. The author seems to create a model of society’s resistance to the pernicious ways adopted by a totalitarian regime, thus recording the possible turmoils within and outside the system. Thus, the novel can be considered as an instance of a creative writer engaging in a counter-cultural activism to resist the totalitarian power structure working in a state.