Tamsula Ao, a padmashree awardee , leaves her footprint in writing by reflecting the circumstances of the North East in her works. Her works are basically based on the issues of the North East and presents the obstacles of women and the abundant beauty of nature at the same time. Her magnum opus Laburnum for my Head is a collection of short stories; which illustrates the angelic beauty of nature and how nature bestows positive energy to females to combat with the patriarchal society that is beautifully revealed through this work. Nature and man always share a symbiotic relationship between the two. Tamsula Ao personifies nature as a human being in Laburnum for My Head. The first short story of the book , Laburnum for my Head projects the main character’s urge to one with nature after her death. Lantina , the main protagonist always tries to sow laburnum trees in her garden. But, cow mars her dream through which the story teller wants to enlighten the terror of the patriarchal society. Laburnum tree is juxtaposed with the worst circumstances of females in Patriarchal society. Lentina is in utter indignation when she observes that her husband rests under the shadow of Laburnum tree after his death. But , she is apparently refused by the society. Lentina, as a female , is very courageous and tries to break the deep knot of patriarchs. She sells her half properties to buy a plot from town committee for her grave. Babu , the family driver of her family helps her in buying the land. At the same time , she sows some Laburnum seeds in her would be resting place.At last, she fulfils her heavenly dream by resting under the shades of laburnum tree after her death.As the French existential feminist, Simone de Bouvoir comments that “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” Tamsula Ao also irradiates the same incidence through this story wherein her husband is allowed to rest under the shade of laburnum tree.But, she is refused to do the same thing.Lentina is valourous enough who breaks the tradition of this patriarchal or male centered culture.At last, she fulfils her dream by resting under the shadow of laburnum tree. This story basically depicts the deep relationship between females and nature. No one tries to understand the predicaments of females except nature. Nature can only make them happy.
Lentina identifies herself as a new woman,who goes against the tradition and attends the funeral ceremony of her husband. Virtually, Indian females are disdained to attend the funeral ceremony in reality. Her another story,Death of a Hunter also describes how nature can transform people from guileful to credible one. Imchanok ,a terrific hunter leaves her hunting job after realizing the enormous power of nature. At first , he kills many animals for money. But , he quits his job as a hunter when he observes the terror of nature. He becomes mad when he misses to shoot an animal.It is possible because the mild nature helps the animal to hide as a whole.Imchanok would have been died if her wife does not take care of him , which symbolizes the gentility of women folk. In Three Women , the concerned short story writer superimposes the pathetic condition of women.The main character , Martha is suppreseesd everywhere. When she falls in love with Apok, she becomes pregnant.But, he becomes passive after making her pregnant. This basically shows his irresponsibility and women are needed when they are necessary. In conclusion, Tamsula Ao is a consolidated voice from North East.Her above mentioned stories present women related issues and how nature takes an integral part in the lives of people.As the Twentieth Century novelist cum critic, Virginia Wolf comments that “Anything may happen when womanhood has ceased to be a protected occupation.”A man is unable to stay happy sans the cooperation and help of females.It is also universal truth that nature is another part of women because both have maternal power.
(The author is a student at Gauhati University. Views are his own)
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