'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness' by Arundhati Roy

Hello Readers!   This blog is a part of a thinking activity assigned by Dilip Barad Sir from The English Department, MKBU, Bhavnagar.

1] How is the intertextual references to other writers in the novel connected with the central theme of the novel? [also mention the epigraphs in English & Hindi]

Visit the blog of Dilip Barad sir for better understanding. (Click Here )

Introductory presentation on 'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness' by Arundhati Roy.

In Arundhati Roy's book "The Ministry of Utmost Happiness," there are twelve chapters divided into six parts. Each part starts with a short quote, called an epigraph, from different poets and writers. These writers, like Roy, faced tough times – some were jailed, others were forced out of their homes, and some even died. They were mistreated because of their skin color, who they loved, or how they identified. But they stayed strong. These quotes at the beginning of each section set the mood for the book and show how these writers, including Arundhati Roy, faced challenges with bravery and determination.

As a student I find this element most interesting in the novel the way writer intertwines multiple stories and poem of other writers to navigate the darkest reality of modern India. Arundhati Roy skillfully portrays the historical elements in this novel.

1) I mean, it's all a matter of your heart...(यानी सारा मामला दिल का है...)

Nâzim Hikmet

This quote comes before the 1st chapter title 'Where Do Old Birds Go to Die?' The first quote, "I mean, it’s all a matter of your heart," comes from Nâzim Hikmet’s poem “On the Matter of Romeo and Juliet.” In Arundhati Roy’s writing, she links Romeo and Juliet to the Arabo-Persian tale of Laila and Majnun, illustrating how stories and cultures merge beyond borders. She emphasizes how authors from different backgrounds influence one another, disregarding boundaries and notions of superiority. Through her character Anjum, who plays with language to hint at her gender and advocate for inclusivity, Roy contrasts Anjum’s cemetery, where the rejected find solace, with India's segregated burial grounds. Ironically, Anjum’s cemetery symbolizes a diverse, inclusive India from the past.

2) In  what language does rain fall over tormented cities? (बारिश किस भाषा में गिरती है यातनाग्रस्त शहरों  के ऊपर ?)

Pablo Neruda

The quote from Pablo Neruda precedes the third chapter titled 'The Nativity'. Pablo Neruda, a poet who faced exile and accusations of assassination under the Pinochet regime, serves as a poignant reminder of resistance against oppressive forces. Despite Pinochet's refusal to allow a public funeral for Neruda, a defiant funeral procession ensued, echoing the fervent protests witnessed during the burial of Kashmiri martyrs in Roy's novel.

In Roy's narrative, these burials represent a form of protest against the indifference of occupying forces, who often leave corpses unburied along the Line of Control in Kashmir. Beyond this specific context, the novel delves into broader themes of mourning and the treatment of marginalized communities, exemplified by the tragic plight of vultures and the mistreatment of Untouchable cow skinners by Hindu mobs. Roy draws from Neruda's last book, "Libro de las Preguntas" (The Book of Questions), particularly focusing on a question about rain falling on tormented cities. This imagery resonates with the diverse landscapes depicted in India, reflecting Roy's attention to language and cultures. Her narrative style, which includes formal experiments like mock multiple-choice questions and reading comprehension passages, underscores her exploration of diverse perspectives and experiences.

3) Death flies in, thin bureaucrat, from the plains”, a fit frame for the third “section"

[ मौत एक छरहरी नौकरशाह है, मैदानों से उड़कर आती हुई - आग़ा शाहिद अली ]

The third epigraph quotes the first line of one of Agha Shahid Ali’s Kashmiri poems, “Death flies in, thin bureaucrat, from the plains”, a fit frame for the third “section”, narrated by “The Landlord”, a cold and somewhat cynical servant of the State.

The epigraph, drawn from Agha Shahid Ali's Kashmiri poem, sets the stage by introducing themes of imminent death and bureaucratic indifference. This quote effectively establishes the backdrop of the oppressive political landscape in Kashmir and the struggles faced by the characters embroiled in the conflict. It aptly establishes the tone for the third section of the novel, narrated by "The Landlord," a character characterized by their cold and somewhat cynical allegiance to the State. Agha Shahid Ali, having left Kashmir for the USA at a young age, experienced the anguish and devastation of his homeland from a distance. His renowned collection, "The Country Without a Post Office," which includes the quoted poem, has served as a source of solace and inspiration for many Kashmiris. Ali's influence reverberates in the works of Kashmiri writers since his passing in 2001, evident either through direct quotations and epigraphs or subtly woven into narratives like Roy's novel. In a poignant scene depicted by Roy, mourners at a funeral are forced to flee from gunfire, leaving behind the dead and wounded, as well as "thousands of shoes." This vividly captures the harrowing reality of the conflict and underscores the depth of human suffering experienced in Kashmir.

4) Then, as she had already died four or five times, the apartment had remained available for a drama more serious than her own death.

"क्योंकि वह पहले चार या पाँच बार मर चुकी थी, अपार्टमेंट उसकी मृत्यु से भी ज़्यादा गंभीर किसी नाटक के लिए उपलब्ध था। - ज्याँ जेने"

The fourth epigraph quotes Jean Genet's novel "Notre-Dame-des-Fleurs," highlighting the gravity of a drama surpassing death.

The quote from Jean Genet's novel speaks to the recurrent theme of death and drama, suggesting that the characters in the novel face challenges and conflicts surpassing mere mortality. This echoes the complex and intense nature of the characters' lives.

Jean Genet's novel "Notre-Dame-des-Fleurs" and his life experiences unexpectedly intersect with the themes of "The Ministry of Utmost Happiness." Genet's tumultuous life, marked by suffering, imprisonment, and activism, mirrors the struggles depicted by Roy in her characters and political messages. His innovative narrative style, blending various genres and defying categorization, likely inspired Roy's intricate storytelling. "The Ministry of Utmost Happiness" incorporates elements of comedy, satire, tragedy, and poetry, with shifting perspectives and a non-linear timeline, echoing Genet's narrative experimentation. Genet's influence is particularly evident in the portrayal of transgender individuals and the exploration of the boundaries between life and death. The integration of diverse themes and narrative techniques enriches Roy's examination of complexity within her novel.

5) _And they would not believe me precisely because they would know that what I said was true." - from The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin.

[ और वे मेरी बात पर सिर्फ़ इस वजह से यक़ीन नहीं करते थे की

वे जानते थे कि मैंने जो कुछ कहा था वह सच था। - जेम्स बाल्डविन ]

The fifth epigraph is quoted from James Baldwin’s essay entitled “Down at the cross. Letter from a Region in my Mind”, which offers a set of reflexions on race relations in the USA, many of which, alas, would still be relevant nowadays. When read in the light of caste relations in India, many of those reflexions also seem perfectly relevant.

This quote comes before the 9th chapter titled 'The Untimely Death of Miss Jebeen the First'. The fifth quote is from James Baldwin's essay "Down at the Cross: Letter from a Region in My Mind," which discusses race relations in the USA, still relevant today. When applied to caste relations in India, Baldwin's reflections remain pertinent. The quote addresses the denial people face when confronted with the horrifying actions humans inflict on one another. Arundhati Roy highlights similar denials in India, where caste is often sidelined or ignored by intellectuals and scholars, despite its pervasive influence.

6) Then there was the changing of the seasons. ‘This is also a journey,’ M said, ‘and they can’t take it away from us.’ (फिर मौसमों में परिवर्तन हुआ।  'यह भी एक यात्रा है,' एम ने कहा, 'और इसे वे हमसे छीन नहीं सकते।')

Before the 10th chapter titled 'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness,' Arundhati Roy quotes from Nadezhda Mandelstam's memoir, "Hope Against Hope." This memoir tells the tragic tale of her husband, Osip Mandelstam, during Stalin's purges. Nadezhda's courage in preserving Osip's unpublished poems by memorizing and smuggling them out of the USSR for publication demonstrates her resilience and resistance to oppression. Her memoir vividly portrays life under Stalin's regime, highlighting its absurdity, cruelty, and unpredictability. Themes of hope, despair, and maintaining dignity in challenging circumstances are profoundly explored in her writings.

Nadezhda's struggle with whether to speak out against oppression or stay silent echoes Roy's portrayal of human suffering and resilience. Roy's narrative includes scenes of extreme torture and the heartbreaking sight of young martyrs, reflecting a mix of anger and dark humor in difficult situations. Despite the overwhelming despair, Roy emphasizes the idea of "hope against hope," drawing inspiration from Mirza Waheed's symbolism of yellow flowers representing the intertwining of hope and sorrow. The "Russian connection" in Roy's work can be understood in the context of the influence of the Indian Communist Party, which facilitated cultural exchange with the USSR and promoted the translation of Russian literature into Indian languages, especially in West Bengal. Characters like Revathy, raised by her Communist grandfather, symbolize this connection, growing up surrounded by books from People's Publishing House and Soviet Bhumi, adding a deeper cultural dimension to the narrative.

Words -  1, 552

Works Cited -

Pesso-Miquel, Catherine. “Arundhati Roy's The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, or How to Recruit...” OpenEdition Journals, https://journals.openedition.org/polysemes/9239. Accessed 18 March 2024.