'River' as a metaphor of Resistance: A Study of River of Stories in Environmental Context

Abstract: Eco criticism refers to the intrinsic relationship between human and nature and how literature responds towards environmental degradation, climate change, anthropocentric approach and how our planet is severely affected that results in the imbalance of biodiversity and ecological disruptions. In an Anthropocene era, materialistic pursuits ultimately lead to ecological degradation, displacement, ill-effect on the lives of indigenous community. Orijit Sen is a pioneering figure and cultural critique who through his visual art and storytelling technique creates a graphic narrative that contests prevailing discourse of ‘development’. River of Stories is a seminal text of Sen that challenges the state-imposed decision for the sake of development within the graphic realm. This paper will try to analyze ecocritical perspectives, the intertwined relationship between human and nature, how Sen projects Anthropocene approaches in this graphic novel as well as building of dam on the river Rewa which creates a negative impact on the lives of indigenous people who are closely linked with the river and the brilliant synthesis of myth, folktale, environmental degradation, ecological awareness and the resistance of indigenous communities whose lives are changed for the sake of development and this paper also highlights the relevance of this graphic novel in present context of environmental as well as global crisis and sustainable development for all. Keywords: ecocriticism, capitalism, ecological awareness, oral tradition, resistance