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| Importance of the Tannery in the Novel Nectar in A Sieve |
Introduction:
Kamala Markandaya's many novels deal with the theme of East-West encounter. It is a fact that the English rule ended, the rulers went back but they left behind their art, culture and trade. It is a great irony that even those who fought for free India could not keep India free from the impact of English art, culture and trade. They aroused a blind race for industrialization in the name of modern progress. In Nectar in a Sieve, the Western pattern of industrialization is represented by the Tannery.
The Tannery: A Boon as Well as a Curse:
A tannery was to be built in the village. People were busy in unloading bricks from the bullock-carts. It attracted all villagers to be there. Kali, her husband, Kunthi, Janki, Old Granny, all were there. People had mixed opinion. Some thought it was a blessing to the village while a few regarded it as a curse. To construct it, workers were brought from other villages. There were built huts in a field, in which workers were living with their families.
It took about two months to complete their work. The workers made their huts in a maidan, in which their wives and children were living. When tannery building was ready, labour went away leaving behind empty huts in the field. One week passed but no one came to tannery and empty huts. It worried Rukmani and Nathan who were waiting for them. There was none to buy vegetables from Rukmani. In the village, prices of everything had become high because of those town men. Rukmani disliked them.
"Never, never... They may live in our midst, but I can never accept them, for they lay their hands upon us and we are all turned from tilling to barter and hoard our silver since we cannot spent it, and see our children go without the food that their children gorge, and it is only in the hope that one day things will be as they were and we have done these things. Now that they have gone let us forget them and return to our ways."
After some days, different people came. The empty huts were occupied by them and their family. Town men had started living there. Kunthi was happy with all this change. According to her, she was a city girl and it was good the village was going to be turned into a city. Now there would be shops, tea-stalls and bioscope. Gradually, this village would be turned into a small town. When Rukmani pleaded against it, Kunthi said, "You are a village girl... You do not understand."
The Tannery: Source of Employment and Earning at the Cost of Deserting Farming:
Kunthi's two sons got employment in the tannery at handsome wages. She was happy for her poverty was removed. Tannery had become a boon for her. Rukmani regarded it as a curse for her village.
According to Rukmani due to tannery, the village was ruined for money power was reduced and everything was costly. But Kunthi contradicted her: "Words and words... Stupid words. No wonder they call us senseless peasant women; but I am not and never will be. There is no earth in my breeding."
The construction work continued in tannery for another building was being constructed there. Now its work was spreading in village. The tanner-men had brought thousands of animal skins to be tanned. They tanned and dyed these skins and sent these back to the town for commercial production. There were nine or ten Muslims among them. They lived separated from others, because there life style was a bit different from other people. They used to work hard till late night. Their ladies lived in the purdah and could hardly be seen outside. None had got any opportunity of seeing their faces. According to their religion, only their husbands could see their faces.
Once Rukmani went there to sell vegetables. She was alone. From one house a lady called her in to buy vegetables. Now Rukmani got opportunity to see the face of one of them.
"Her face was pale, the bones small and fine. Her eyes were pale too, a curious light brown matching her silky hair."
It broke the prejudice that they were very beautiful. Arjun wanted to work in tannery. a Rukmani asked Arjun to tell the reason for it. He replied: "You do everything you can. It is not a enough. I am tired of hunger and I am tired of seeing my brothers hungry. There is never enough, especially since Ira came to live with us."
Hearing it, Rukmani had to say: "Go if you must. You speak like a man although you are a child still. But I do not know whether you can obtain work at the tannery. People say S that they have all the labour they want."
Arjun said that Kunthi's son had assured him for getting work in tannery. Rukmani did not like it that Arjun should take help from Kunthi or her son. She assured that Dr. Kennington would be very helpful in it for he had a great say there. After a few days, Arjun got employment in the tannery. After it, Thambi also joined in the tannery. It had an ironic effect on the family. It was good that family had got rid of poverty with increasing income but Nathan was sad for Arjun and Thambi did not help him in farming. Arjun and Thambi were good boys in the sense that they helped their family with their earnings. Once again they started to live a good life.
The Tannery: Exploitation and Cruel Conditions:
It happened that one day Arjun and Thambi came very late in the evening. Nathan and Rukmani waited for them with great anxiety. When they asked the reason of being late, the sons replied that they had asked for higher wages, The masters agreed for it on the condition that their lunch time was changed to working time. Just a few days after it, there was a workers strike in the tannery. The demand was to increase their wages. Masters warned workers to come back to their job otherwise new workers would be appointed. It terrified many workers and they resumed their duty. Others remained out and they employed new men at lower wages. Arjun and Thambi did not go back to their job and became unemployed. It was the sad story of many people of the village who were now out of the tannery. Their families starved. In Kali's family, only one was back to tannery. Nathan favoured his sons and said: "Our children must act as they choose to, not for our benefit, Is it not enough that they suffer?"
Arjun and Thambi learnt that there was a good job with higher wages in Ceylon. Nathan feared Ceylon was hundreds of miles away from the village. Arjun informed that all the arrangements of journey would be made by the masters. Against the will of Nathan and Rukmani, they decided to go to Ceylon Island.
One day Rukmani's son Raja was caught stealing in tannery. He was beaten to death. Nathan, Rukmani, Ira all were very sad. After 2-3 days two officials came from the tannery to Nathan's home. They wanted to satisfy Nathan and Rukmani that the entire fault was of Raja and watch man only fulfilled his duty by stopping him (Raja). So they were not bound to pay any type of claim regarding this.
"You cannot blame my son," I said wearily. "We live from hand to mouth, as you can see...…..there is wealth here, such as your goods might have bought.”
"I am not blaming your son alone," he said carefully, "but of course it is well known r sons have been troublemakers. Now we do not want any trouble from you, you understand. The lad was caught in the act of stealing, maybe, as you say, for the first time in a moment of weakness-still, he was caught, and for the consequences that followed, one was to blame except himself. He should not have struggled. In these circumstances you naturally have no claim on us."
"Claim?" I said. "I have made no claim. I do not understand."
He made a gesture of impatience. "You may think of it later, and try to get compensation. I warn you, it will not work."
"Compensation," I thought, "What compensation is there for death for felt confused, I did not understand what he was getting at. There was a pause."
Hearing this Rukmani said that she was not going to claim any compensation. What she lost was invaluable.
